A two-year-old girl who suffered severe head injuries after allegedly being beaten by her City executive father died tonight.

Yanire Izaga was taken to St Thomas's Hospital on Sunday morning after a neighbour heard screams coming from the family's £1 million London apartment and called the police. Officers confirmed that she had been prounounced dead at 6.30 this evening.

After Yanire was discovered her father, Alberto, 36, the head of life and health products at the European insurance group Swiss Re, was immediately arrested. He was detained in hospital yesterday after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Forensic scientists cordoned-off the flat yesterday while detectives from Scotland Yard’s child abuse team began their investigation.

A family friend has categorically denied reports that Mr Inzaga attacked his daughter after she pestered them while they were in bed together.

Tonight, police issued a statement confirming Yanire had passed away. "Yanire Izaga was taken to St Thomas' Hospital where she was pronounced at 18.30 this evening," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said. "A post mortem will be scheduled in due course. An inquest will open and adjourn in due course."

The spokesman added: "Officers from the Major Investigation Team of the Child Abuse Command are investigating."

The little girl's father Alberto Izaga, a Spanish-born insurance executive, is well regarded within the industry. Last year he was elected to the board of the Association of British Insurers after a successful career in financial services.

Before joining Swiss Re, he spent nine years with the American-owned business conglomerate General Electric.

He began working for Swiss Re a year ago after its acquisition of GE Insurance Solutions, where he had run the life and health business in Europe.

Mr Izaga has a degree in law and business fromthe University of Deusto in Bilbao.

He joined GE in 1988 and worked at its corporate headquarters as a senior analyst, covering mergers and acquisitions, before becoming vice-president of business development.

In 2002, he was made chief executive of life and health for continental Europe. The following year he became president and chief executive of life and health, Europe — a position he held until the acquisition by Swiss Re.

Swiss Re has an annual turnover of about £13 billion and operates in more than 30 countries. A spokesman said that the company was deeply shocked.

He added: “Swiss Re is deeply saddened by the tragedy involving the family of Alberto Izaga. Our thoughts are with the family. However, as this is a private matter it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Times Recommends

• Time-worn Freddie gives up Test matches
• Brighton company 'involved in cyber attack'
• The art of survival: it’s all in the mind