An autopsy on Boyzone singer Stephen Gately revealed that he died due to excess fluid in his lungs, a court spokeswoman on the Spanish island of Majorca said Tuesday.
“He died a natural death of acute pulmonary oedema” which had nothing to do with any consumption of alcohol or drugs, said the spokeswoman in the Majorcan capital of Palma.
A pulmonary oedema, or water on the lungs, can be due to either the failure of the heart to remove fluid from the lungs or direct damage to the lung tissue.
Gately, 33, was found dead on Saturday in his apartment in the Majorcan town of Port Andratx while on holiday on the Mediterranean island. News reports said he had been out late the night before.
His body is now at a chapel of rest in the Majorcan town of Calvia, from where it will be flown to Dublin on Friday.
Cowley, who married his partner Andrew Cowles in a civil union in 2006, sent ripples through the pop music world 10 years ago when he announced that he was gay.
Gately joined the Irish pop band Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin for an audition.
The band went on to enjoy huge success with six number one singles in Britain, but split up in 2000.
They reunited seven years later, but their recent 19-date Better tour failed to fill stadiums, despite offers of free tickets.
Gately also starred in West End musicals in London, including “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
Source: AFP
