David Hamilton
British photographer David Hamilton died aged 83 in Paris, France BERND WEISSBROD/AFP/Getty Images

A woman who accused British photographer David Hamilton of raping her when she was 13, has said his death "will never erase the sleepless nights".

Hamilton, 83, was found dead in his Paris apartment on Friday 25 November. He was said to have been found unresponsive in his home in the French capital by a neighbour who then alerted emergency services, French radio station Europe 1 reported. It is believed he committed suicide.

The photographer, who best known for capturing nude images of young female models, was facing child rape accusations in his adopted country of France at the time of his death.

Four former models have come forward accusing Hamilton of rape. Last week, French radio presenter Flavie Flament said the high fashion photographer had raped her during a photo shoot when she was 13.

Reacting to the photographer's death, Ms Flament said: "The horror of this news will never erase the sleepless nights."

Her book editor, Karina Hocine, told Sky News: "Naturally, we feel horrified and, at the same time, really disgusted that there was not enough time for justice to run its course."

Ms Flament, 42, claimed Hamilton raped her in the 1980s after spotting her at a nudist camp in Cap d'Agde, in the South of France, where she was on holiday with her parents. She alleges that Hamilton persuaded her parents to let him work alone with her. Flament said after she went public, at least three other women contacted her with similar allegations.

Hamilton denied the claims and announced he intended to sue his accusers.

Three days before his death, he said: "I have done nothing improper. Clearly the instigator of this media lynching is looking for her 15 minutes of fame by defaming me in her novel."

In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.