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Stephen Gately's family dismiss new drink and drug claims
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
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The heartbroken family of Stephen Gately have reiterated their belief that he died of natural causes.
Although they accept that the Boyzone star was drinking in the hours before his sudden death, they are "not interested" in rumours that this contributed to his sudden death.
An investigation by Spanish authorities has already pointed to an underlying heart condition that runs in the singer's family, but British papers are continuing to speculate that alcohol and drugs played a role.
A spokesperson for the family has said that Stephen was in a "celebratory mood" on the night he died because life was good.
He was just days away from finishing a children's book that was likely to be a top-seller in Ireland and Britain.
The singer was also delighted about the progress being made on a new Boyzone album, which was due to be released next year.
And discussions were underway with TV bosses about a number of potential projects, including an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
A spokesperson for the family said: "He had reason to celebrate."
Stephen's partner Andrew told police that they were "very drunk" on the night but that he went to bed thinking everything was okay.
It wasn't until the next afternoon that Stephen was found lying on a couch at the apartment they shared in Majorca.
An autopsy showed that Stephen suffered a build-up of fluid in the lungs known as pulmonary oedema.
Doctors have told his parents, Martin and Margaret, that this could have been brought on by a congenital heart defect that runs in Martin's side of the family.
They have urged other young people to get medical checks, particularly if there is a history of a heart condition in the family.
The singer's will is expected to be read in London this week in the presence of Andrew Cowles and members of the Gately family.
It is thought that most of his €11m estate will be left to Cowles, who has a good relationship with the Gatelys.
However, his parents and siblings are also likely to get a share in the fortune accumulated through record sales, merchandise and his years on the stage.
There is also a possibility that Stephen may have left some mementos for his Boyzone bandmates who are said to be still struggling with his passing.
Ronan Keating and Keith Duffy have left Dublin to escape the publicity that has followed them since the funeral.
The pair jetted off to Los Angeles last week where they have been spotted relaxing in the sun.
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Trentreviso, I'm with you.
Perhaps this whole affair is none of our business, and a family has been forced to live through it in public. However, the reporting of it, considering this man was a role model, leaves a lot to be desired.
Drinking within 2 weeks of anti-depressants can be harmful, not to mention being 'very drunk', and marijuana, while thought of as weak, comes in different forms and strengths, some of which slow the heart down incredibly and cause psychological problems.
How in 2009 is it not possible to remember and cherish someone as a human being, for their full range of experience and behaviour, whilst also reporting the potentially harmful aspects to inform the public?
I work for an addiction service, by the way.
Posted by LM | 05.11.09, 17:26 GMT
So, Gately died of a congenital heart condition that previously never manifested itself in his 33 years. Gately's parents were aware of this congenital condition in the family, but can't say what it is, and they never bothered to tell Stephen about it. And doctors are urging young people to "get checked" for this unnamed heart condition they found at Gately's autopsy, although they don't want to tell us what that condition is.
It is known that drugs were definitely NOT a factor in his death, even though pulmonary edema is how Stephen died and is also the manner in which drug overdoses kill people. And we know unquestionably that drugs and alcohol were definitely not a factor, even though the toxicology report has never been released, Stephen was "very drunk" at the time of his death, and had been smoking marijuana.
Thank you for helping to clear this up.
Posted by trentreviso | 28.10.09, 11:04 GMT
Naturally, the family are devastated by his death and want to remember him as he was but the truth is that they, just like ourselves, were not in Majorca and don't know the circumstances of his death.
Posted by Ed | 27.10.09, 08:56 GMT