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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 Daily Mail reported that Gately was thought to have “died after choking on his own vomit after a drinking session”. The couple, who wed in a civil union in 2006, were on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca. He was found squatting down on the sofa almost in a praying position,” a police investigator told the newspaper.
“He was in a strange position.
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.
A Gately family friend, Gerald Kean, said the singer died of natural causes, although these were not identified.
“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. It’s just a tragic accident is what we’ve been told, and we’re happy that that is correct information,’’ Kean said.
“There’s no foul play involved, and it’s not suicide. It’s not drugs, we don’t believe.
“There is nothing untoward. It’s not suicide. It’s not suicide. That’s what we’ve been told. It’s not a fight.
Members of Boyzone arrived at Palma de Majorca international airport on Sunday afternoon.’’
An autopsy is expected to be conducted on Tuesday. .
Gately’s bandmates – Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch – said they were “completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen”. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world.
“Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. We love you and will miss you forever, ‘Steo’.
“Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen’s family. Gately had also released several solo singles and appeared in stage musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Gately had also released several solo singles and appeared in stage musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
He revealed his sexual orientation to a British newspaper in 1999.