Gately Died After Choking In Sleep - Report

Tragic BOYZONE star STEPHEN GATELY died after choking on his vomit while asleep on Saturday (10Oct09), according to new reports.

His partner Andy Cowles found the singer kneeling in a “praying” position in their holiday home in Majorca, Spain, where they were vacationing, and attempted to revive him for 30 minutes, reports British tabloid The Sun.

A source tells the newspaper, “Andy tried mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. When everything failed he even slapped him across the face. But doctors later confirmed Stephen’s lungs had filled with fluid. There was nothing Andy could have done. He had drowned and asphyxiated.”

The publication alleges the couple, who wed in a civil partnership in London in 2006, had spent Friday night (09Oct09) drinking at a local bar, where they met 25-year-old Bulgarian Giorgi Duchev and invited him back to their apartment.
Police investigating the incident have dismissed rumours of foul play, but they are seeking out Duchev for additional information.

An official tells Britain’s The Times, “We do not think this man is involved in any way in Stephen’s death but his testimony could prove vital.”

An investigating judge has been appointed in charge of the inquiry.

Meanwhile Gately’s bandmates Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy paid a heartfelt tribute to their late “brother”, before landing at Majorca airport on Sunday night (11Oct09).

The group says, “We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more. Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen’s family. We love you and will miss you forever, ‘Steo’.”