Wham! singer was found dead in his country home on Christmas Day last year
53-year-old had suffered health scares and fought drug addictions for years
A coroner has now said he died from natural causes and there will be no inquest
Body has now been released to his family, who are planning a private funeral
The details of George Michael’s funeral are to be kept under wraps after his family and friends decided to organise a private service.
An announcement on Monday stated that the 53-year-old Wham! star died from a disease of the heart muscle and a fatty liver, meaning an inquest into his death is not needed.
The revelation means that, more than two months after his death, Michael’s body has finally been returned to his family ahead of a planned funeral.
The funeral had been delayed after an initial post-mortem examination was said to have been ‘inconclusive’.
George Michael died of natural causes with a weakened heart and fatty liver, a coroner said
It also means it is unlikely a full toxicology report will ever be released.
Meanwhile a recorded message for Highgate Cemetery, where the singer’s mother is buried, states: ‘If you’re phoning about George Michael, I’m sorry we haven’t got any information for you.’
On Monday the singer’s boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, who found him dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames on Christmas Day, took to Twitter shortly after the coroner’s statement, tweeting: ‘F*** YOU’ and ‘The Truth is out’.
On Monday the singer’s boyfriend Fadi Fawaz took to Twitter shortly after the coroner’s statement, tweeting: ‘F*** YOU’ and ‘The Truth is out’
Fawaz has come under fire from some fans since the singer’s death and his Twitter account was said have been hacked before comments were posted suggesting Michael had wanted to take his own life. The 999 call he made was also leaked.
Today former Spice Girl Geri Horner opened up about the loss of her close friend while on This Morning.
Former Spice Girl Geri Horner opened up about the loss of her close friend while on This Morning today (pictured)
She said: ‘I absolutely loved him…I’m going to cry. I’m all hormonal as well. But when I left the Spice Girls he took me under his wing.
‘He was such a lovely person, so it was very shocking. And suddenly I have a baby, it was just like the circle of life… you just don’t expect it. He was such a good man.’
She added: ‘You know how real friends tell you how it is… they keep your feet on the ground.
‘That’s what I really loved about him. He was quite normal. And so generous! He bought me a car, he helped me with first daughter, I lived with him, so I was gutted… it’s not until someone goes you suddenly go ‘Oh my God’… It’s very sad when someone we all love dies.’
Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire, said on Monday: ‘Inquiries into the death of George Michael have been concluded and the final post-mortem report received.
‘As there is a confirmed natural cause of death, being dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver, the investigation is being discontinued and there is no need for an inquest or any further enquiries.’
Toxicology tests were also ordered to determine whether drugs contributed to his death, but Monday’s statement means only his family are likely to see the results.
MEMORIAL CONCERT FOR SINGER SELLS OUT IN JUST DAYS
The tiny village hall in the village where George Michael was found dead is told hold a memorial concert on what would have been the pop icon’s 54th birthday.
Tickets for the event, called You Have Been Loved: Celebrating the Life and Music of George Michael, have already sold out.
The evening will feature music from a tribute band, who will perform Wham! and the signer’s greatest hits as well as performance from other bands and fans.
Singer David Wright who organised the even on June 25th said: ‘We’re big fans and wanted to do something to celebrate his life in a place that had significance for him.
‘We didn’t know how the village hall trustees would respond but they were keen on the idea and very welcoming.’
Profits from the £15 pounds tickets, which include a free glass of wine to members of the audience before the performance, will be donated to Childline.
Michael’s cousin, Andros Georgiou, had said he suspected the singer died of an accidental drugs overdose and former lover Paul Stag claimed he had been hooked on a drug called Liquid G.
But Michael’s former partner Kenny Goss said he believed the pop superstar’s body ‘just gave up’.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: ‘I can’t say for sure but I think his body just gave up. All these years, it was just weak.’
Dilated cardiomyopathy, identified as a cause of Michael’s death, is a disease of the heart muscle which affects how blood is able to pump around the body.
In some cases, it is an inherited condition, otherwise, it is caused by things such as viral infections, uncontrolled high blood pressure and problems with the heart valves.
Myocarditis meanwhile is inflammation in or around the heart and is usually caused by a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
The third condition listed by the coroner, fatty liver disease, can be caused by a build-up of fat in the liver and is usually seen in people who are overweight or obese.
A different type of fatty liver disease is caused by excessive drinking and is known as alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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