14 DAY TRIAL // Singer Stephen Gately of the boyband Boyzone was found dead in his luxury villa in Majorca. The body of the 33-year-old singer was discovered by his civil partner Andy Cowles, who also tried to revive him, but to no avail. There is no indication that Gately’s untimely death was a suicide or the result of foul play, with clues pointing that he might have choked on his own vomit in his sleep after a night of partying, reports in the British media say, as the Daily Record points out.
The Spanish police are said to be looking now for a Bulgarian male whom the two met as they went clubbing the night before. Giorgio, the Bulgarian, is believed to have accompanied Gately and Cowles to the villa in the early hours of Saturday morning, but it is not yet known whether he left before or after the Boyzone singer fell asleep. While the police believe Giorgio has nothing to do with the singer’s death, his testimony could prove “vital” in offering precious details of his last hours of life.
“There is nothing untoward. 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 is correct information. It’s not drugs, we don’t believe, it’s not suicide, it’s not murder, it’s not a fight. The family are devastated and have asked me to take calls for the moment. They’re trying to come to terms with it.” leading Dublin lawyer Gerald Kean, who acts as spokesperson for the singer’s family, told the media just recently, as cited by the Daily Record.
The police have not yet made an official statement – other than to say that the case is still under investigation –, but sources from the inside claim there is nothing off about the singer’s death. While the authorities were somewhat perplexed at first by the strange position in which Stephen was found – reclined against the sofa, with his head buried in a pillow, as if “praying,” one source said –, they are now convinced Giorgio’s testimony and an autopsy will show this was, indeed, a tragic accident.
“I’m absolutely devastated. I can’t believe it’s real. Stephen was loved by every one of us. He was one of the most caring, compassionate an gentle people I’ve ever known.” friend and Boyzone mate Ronan Keating said when he heard the news of Stephen’s passing. “Words just fail me right now. Stephen wasn’t just a friend to us, he was a brother. We’ve lost a brother. The last time I spoke to Stephen he was in terrific spirits. He was excited about the future and on top of the world. We’re all trying to pull together to see what to do from here.” Mikey Graham added.