Drugs were not a factor in the sudden death of Boyzone star Stephen Gately, a family spokesman said this evening.
Well-known Irish solicitor and family friend Gerald Kean, asked by the family to speak on their behalf, also ruled out suicide.
“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 shocking news, which they heard late last night.
“They’re devastated and they asked me to take calls for the moment. They’re just trying to come to terms with it,” he said.
Mr Kean said a post mortem on Mr Gately’s body is expected on Tuesday and attributed the death to natural causes, but declined to give any further detail.
The family hope to have the remains returned to Ireland by the end of the week, for the funeral in Dublin.
“I believe that would be the case. That was Stephen’s wishes as well,” he said.
Mr Kean said the family had not decided to travel to Majorca.
PA