Boyzone singer Stephen Gately dead at 33

[Annika]

life isn't fair when all these other skanky people are still wandering around like rats.

but if i were gonna go young, that's what i'd want, in my sleep. maybe you have this wonderful awesome dream then you die.

so he was perhaps spared something gruesome and frightening.

[msdeb]

odd. i had never heard of this guy until about 2 months ago when i saw an interview with him on TV (something to do with gay marriage). What a shame, i feel for his husband.

[A*O]

According to this he got drunk, choked on his own vomit and died. I wonder if this is another "David Carradine" type situation.

Spanish police are searching for a third man who was at the apartment of Boyzone star Stephen Gately, after the singer was found dead in his holiday home in Majorca after a night out, a UK newspaper reports.


Gately, 33, was a singer with the Irish boy band Boyzone and made headlines when he came out as gay a decade ago,.


He was believed to have been found dead on Saturday afternoon by his partner Andrew Cowles. The couple, who wed in a civil union in 2006, were on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca.

The Daily Mail reported that Gately was thought to have "died after choking on his own vomit after a drinking session".

"He was in a strange position. He was found squatting down on the sofa almost in a praying position," a police investigator told the newspaper.


London's The Times reported that there was no suicide note or sign of violence but a Bulgarian man, who was invited back to the couple’s holiday home, was being sought by police.


"We do not think this man is involved in any way in Stephen's death but his testimony could prove vital," Spanish police told the newspaper.


A Gately family friend, Gerald Kean, said the singer died of natural causes, although these were not identified.

"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,’’ 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.’’

An autopsy is expected to be conducted on Tuesday.

The Age 12.1009

[MoodyJenny86]

Bah, sometimes this is the very reason I'm afraid to go to sleep!

[levitt]

I hope that out of the two options, choking on his own vomit or having a heart attack or whatever in his sleep, that it was the latter.

[Wiseguy]

According to this he got drunk, choked on his own vomit and died. I wonder if this is another "David Carradine" type situation.

You're right. This is very different to just falling asleep and never waking up again. It looks like he now drowned from fluid on the lungs after getting drunk and choking on his vomit. What a waste of a talented, young life. So sad.

This is the last photo taken of Gately from the Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday. Ronan Keating is in the back seat.



Police are also looking for another man who Gately and husband Cowles invited back to their holiday home on the night Gately died.
Boyzone-star-Stephen-Gately-partner-asked-Bulgarian-1m-apartment.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail

[Sarzy]

Choking on your vomit....what a way to go! Ugh.

[levitt]

I haven't felt any strong emotions over this yet because I don't think I can quite believe it. Stephen was just one of those people who though I rarely thought about him. assumed he'd always be around. He was a part of my childhood (even if he was forced on me by my cousin, I was a Take That fan).

[Wiseguy]

There are now reports that Stephen Gately had a marathon drinking session on the night he died:

Stephen Gately's family deny 'booze marathon' claims

The family of Boyzone star Stephen Gately today rejected claims that he died after a marathon drinking session.
Lawyer Gerald Kean said it was wrong to suggest that the star died after eight hours boozing on the Spanish holiday island of Majorca.
Relatives of the 33-year-old Irish pop singer and actor insisted his death was a "tragic accident" and that no foul play was involved.
"An eight-hour drinking session is something we do not accept," Mr Kean said.
"Wherever that is coming from, our information would suggest that is simply wrong."
Spanish police said there were "no signs of suspicious circumstances" after Gately was found dead at his home in the resort of Port Andratx on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Kean, who was asked to act as spokesman for the family and talked to Gately's mother Margaret this morning, said the family were absolutely devastated.
He said they have been too upset to decide whether to fly out to the Mediterranean island.
The solicitor said Gately had been in the apartment with his partner, Andrew Cowles, until after midnight on Friday when he travelled to the town of Palma, about an hour's drive away.
A close family member spoke to Gately at 12.30am Spanish time on Saturday (11.30pm GMT) as he was getting ready to leave, the lawyer said.
It is understood Gately spent several hours socialising and was back in the apartment before 6am Spanish time.
"We are not saying he was not drinking but eight hours is not something we accept," Mr Kean said.
"He was a very sensible man. He enjoyed himself, he loved life. I was with him many a night and, if anything, late into nights he would look as though he had just arrived."
Police said Gately had been partying with friends a few hours before he was found dead in his apartment.
They were hoping the results of a post-mortem would shed light on exactly how he died.
A spokesman for police on the island said the examination would take place either today or tomorrow.
He said Gately's body remained in a forensics institute in Palma in the meantime.
Full story: Mirror.co.uk

[candace scandals &]

Originally Posted by A*O

According to this he got drunk, choked on his own vomit and died. I wonder if this is another "David Carradine" type situation.

A*O thanks for the article; that was my guess. Aspirating vomit. Very sad end and so careless and a true tragedy. Prayers for his family. It's weird that a guy who is 33 doesn't know how to properly sleep after a few drinks. Was he alone? Why did his boyfriend (or whoever was with him) not turn him over? These are things you learn when you're 15.

[Charmed Hour]

Originally Posted by candace scandals &

A*O thanks for the article; that was my guess. Aspirating vomit. Very sad end and so careless and a true tragedy. Prayers for his family. It's weird that a guy who is 33 doesn't know how to properly sleep after a few drinks. Was he alone? Why did his boyfriend (or whoever was with him) not turn him over? These are things you learn when you're 15.

The article upthread said he was found in a squatting position in front of a sofa.

[JadeStar70]

Never heard of him or the band. What a way to go. He was to young and such a sad way to go.

[Geest]

An 8-hour drinkingsession - I'd die too. Apparently he wanted to sleep it off, his stomach brought it up, he managed to turn on his front but it was too late. Already inhaled some of it. Gosh, that's awful.

well, the Sun is not that reliable but at least a link:
Stephen Gately killed by 8-hour drinking binge | The Sun |Showbiz|Bizarre

[greysfang]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

omg thats random... and sad. But how does a 33 year old die in his sleep??

My friend did. Pulmonary embolism related to birth control pills. She had 8 and 2 yo children.

[ManxMouse]

8-hour drinking session? That's called Saturday in my world.