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Boyzone's Stephen Gately didn't die from drugs, says grieving family

Monday, 12 October 2009

Stephen Gately

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Boyzone star Stephen Gately is believed to have died after falling ill in his sleep following a night out.

Spanish police were last night following a line of inquiry that the 33-year-old died of natural causes, and believe he may have choked after getting sick.

However, a post-mortem examination on the singer will not take place until tomorrow because it is a bank holiday in Spain today.

The popular Dubliner, originally from Sherriff Street in the north-inner city, was in Majorca with his husband Andrew Cowles when the tragedy happened.

Mr Cowles told friends that he put Stephen down on a sofa in their apartment in Port Andratx at around 6am on Saturday.

They had been out drinking on Friday night with another friend, who police are keen to talk to, and were also seen in a local nightclub.

But Mr Cowles found Stephen dead on the sofa at around 1.45pm on Saturday and immediately dialled 999.

Police quickly established that the death was not suspicious and also say that there was no evidence of drug taking.

Stephen and his partner owned the luxury apartment, worth over €1m, in the south west of Majorca.

The Boyzone star is understood to have been spending time there working on his children's novel 'The Tree of Seasons', which he hoped to release in time for Christmas.

Last Tuesday, he posted on his Twitter website: "Still busy -- lots going on. Focussing (sic) on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."

Solicitor Gerald Kean -- a long-term personal friend of the singer -- is acting as the Gately family adviser. They were too upset to talk to the media last night.

They have yet to decide if they will travel to Majorca but the four other members of Boyzone flew out last night, including Ronan Keating, who was supposed to be running a marathon in Chicago for the Marie Keating Foundation.

Band manager Louis Walsh also pulled out of hit show 'The X Factor' last night.

It is expected that Stephen's body will not be returned to Ireland until the end of this week at the earliest.

Band members Keith Duffy, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch released a statement yesterday in which they said they were "devastated by the loss of our friend and brother".

"We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and we were looking forward to sharing so many more. Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit."

Stephen had only travelled back to Majorca in the last few days.

He was at an awards ceremony in London on Monday and also attended former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's book launch in Dublin last week.

The death is expected to be dealt with by an investigating judge in Spain.

He will be tasked with reviewing the results of the post mortem and a report from investigators who arrived on the scene.

A friend of Stephen and Andrew, Stephen Purdew, who owns the Champneys chain of health spas in the UK, said: "I got a text from Andrew this morning to say he's absolutely devastated.

"He'd put Stephen on the settee at six o'clock, thought he was going to sleep and found him dead when he woke up. It appears he died as people do when they've drunk too much."

Stephen Gately is survived by his older brothers Mark and Alan, his younger brother Tony and his sister Michelle, as well as his mother Margaret and father Martin.

Mr Kean also ruled out suicide as a cause of the star's death.

"There's no foul play involved and it's not suicide. It's just a tragic accident is what we've been told and we're happy that that is correct information," Mr Kean said.

"There is nothing untoward, it's not drugs, we don't believe, it's not suicide, it's not murder, it's not a fight. That's what we've been told."

Mr Kean said the family was shattered by the news, which they heard late on Saturday.

"They're devastated and they asked me to take calls for the moment," he said.

Mr Kean attributed the death to natural causes.

The family hope to have the remains returned to Ireland by the end of the week, for the funeral in Dublin.

Mr Kean said the family had not yet decided to travel to Majorca.

Boyzone stars Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham were last night dressed in dark clothes and wore sunglasses as they arrived at the apartment where Gately died.

They were driven into an underground car park underneath the flat around 8.30pm local time in a silver-coloured Mercedes people carrier.

They entered the apartment block through a side entrance without saying anything.

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23 Comments

so many condolenses go out to Stephen's Husband Andrew, his family and friends. To die so young is such a tragedy and one a family should never have to go through. hopefully in the weeks and months to come you wil be able to look back and remember Stephen fondly, with love and most of all in your hearts know he is at peace. this will not be easy for any one you and with that in mind i wish you all the peace, love and understanding you all deserve now and in the future. God bless you all xx

Posted by nik | 15.10.09, 16:46 GMT

You ll forever be missed. You were a becon of hope an ideal to look forward to.

Posted by mohsin Ali | 15.10.09, 08:34 GMT

As A flight attendant I had the pleasure of meeting Steven on flights between Ireland London and Europe and he was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet quiet and yet unassuming, my heart felt condolences go out to his Family relatives and his Partner and may he continue to live on in our hearts through the wonderful music he did.
RIP Steven Gately you were indeed one of a kind

Posted by christiaan | 14.10.09, 23:24 GMT

R.I.P Stephen it is very sad for someone so young to be taken so suddenly you will be missed dearly

Posted by carmel | 14.10.09, 18:53 GMT

RIP Stephen you will be truely missed condolences to your family and of course to BOYZONE xxxxxxx

Posted by mary | 14.10.09, 00:46 GMT

sleep peacefully Stephen you touched many peoples hearts x

Posted by bel | 13.10.09, 20:01 GMT

R.I.P. STEPHEN GOING 2 MISS U LOVE CATHY LILA FROM MILLISLE CO ; DOWN XXXXXX;;;

Posted by CATHY MNN | 13.10.09, 18:51 GMT

I have just got back from Spain and found out about Stephen's death. I had been listening to Boyzone on my Gizmondo whilst I was away. Stephen was my favourite member, and I had a crush on him when I was younger ( I'm a woman.)
R.I.P. STEPHEN GATELY. In the arms of Jesus now.
My condolences to his husband and family.

Posted by boyzonefan | 13.10.09, 18:44 GMT

My condolences to the family, Andrew and the rest of the band. Thank you Stephen for your lovely voice and sweet nature. You were a huge part of my teenage years and you'll always have a special place in my heart.
Rest in peace, and may you sing with the angels now ...

Posted by Lisa | 13.10.09, 18:29 GMT

my condolences to the family stephen will be missed he was an a amazing entertainer it is such a surprise boyzone was one of my favourite group of artists i would have loved to have met him or even come to one of his concerts he had a wonderful voice it is so sad i will treasure memories of him

Posted by mona hardie | 13.10.09, 05:59 GMT

A nice tribute, Gerald. My condolences go out to you, Stephen's husband and family, the band and all their fans. RIP Stephen X

Posted by Lesley | 12.10.09, 22:52 GMT

Im deaply saddened by stephens death. I thought he had an amazing singing voice and liked his personality. May god be with his husband, family and friends. His spirit will always live on in his singing and peoples memories. Heaven has another lovely angel.X

Posted by Cathy | 12.10.09, 21:07 GMT

Just can't believe it,it's so sad what a waste of such a tallented and young star. God bless u, R.I.P!
XXXX

Posted by Pam | 12.10.09, 20:12 GMT

I am so sad to hear about Stephen Gately, I was a huge fan of Boyzone and of Stephen Gately back in the 90's! Such a loss.

Posted by Marie | 12.10.09, 17:30 GMT

Even if there was alcohol involved, this still remains a tragic accident that has resulted in the death of a clearly sensitive and special guy. I hope the press remember that for the sake of those who loved him. RIP

Posted by Karen | 12.10.09, 17:24 GMT

We are gutted at the loss of this amazing singer. Who will be greatly missed by everyone. Our thoughts go out to his family, the rest of boyzone and louis.
RIP Stephen Gately u will be missed!
xx

Posted by LH | 12.10.09, 13:32 GMT

it is really sad. he was a lovely man. will be really missed by everyone in belfast. n.i. thoughts and prayers to his partner, family and friends. R.I.P stephen

Posted by Stephanie Johnston | 12.10.09, 11:50 GMT

it is really sad. he was a lovely man. will be really missed by everyone in belfast. n.i. thoughts and prayers to his partner, family and friends. R.I.P stephen

Posted by stephanie johnston | 12.10.09, 11:45 GMT

I've been extremely fortunate to have met Stephen on numerous occasions and a lovelier man I have yet to meet. An absolute gentleman. Its a sad loss of a young life and shows how vulnerable we ultimately are.

The night sky will be shining brighter with this star; thoughts are with Andrew, his friends and family.

RIP Stephen, you will be sorely missed 'wee Gately'. xxx

Posted by Tracey Millar | 12.10.09, 09:39 GMT