LONDON, ENGLAND - THE wife of a barrister found dead after an armed siege by police in the upmarket Chelsea area of London said they had a 'strong union' and were deeply committed to each other.

Family law lawyer Mark Saunders, 32, was found dead at his flat in fashionable Markham Square, just off the King's Road, after a five-hour stand-off with armed officers on Tuesday.

His wife Elizabeth said she had not been at home during the incident, as had been claimed in some reports.

'She was in fact at work, and arrived home only after the area had been cordoned off,' said a statement released on her behalf by her husband's law chambers Queen Elizabeth Building.

'This is a very distressing time for all of Mark's family, who loved him dearly, and especially for Elizabeth...

'Mark and Elizabeth had a strong union and were deeply committed to each other.

'While she grieves and come to terms with her tragic loss, she would be grateful if the media could continue to respect her privacy and leave her in peace.' An inquest into Mr Saunders's death will open on Friday morning at Westminster Coroner's Court.

The results of a post-mortem, which could reveal whether Mr Saunders had been shot by specialist officers or had turned the gun upon himself, have yet to be released.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which has opened an inquiry, said on Wednesday it was too early to comment on the cause or nature of his death.

IPCC Deputy Chairman Ian Bynoe said it was too soon to say whether the incident had been triggered by a domestic dispute, as some newspapers had reported. -- REUTERS