Stephen Gately’s family to re-open investigation into his death
The family of late Boyzone star Stephen Gately have announced they plan to hire a private investigator to look into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The gay singer died on holiday in October 2009 at the apartment he was sharing with his boyfriend Andrew Cowles in Majorca.
He suffered from atheromatosis, which is a thickening of the arteries. A preliminary pathology report said the star died from an acute pulmonary oedema, a build-up of fluid on the lungs caused by the atheromatosis. The report released at the time made it clear he had not been killed by alcohol or drugs.
Gately’s brother Tony told the Sun on Sunday: “We are looking at getting a private investigator once his estate is settled.”
According to reports, the family is engaged in a dispute with Cowles over the estate. Tony claims Cowles has tried to charge family members for keepsakes.
Tony said: “Andy has put a price on every single item that we’ve asked for. Those things are tarnished now. Some of them were things we had given to Stephen as presents. They were sentimental items… He’s had all Stephen’s earnings and personal possessions. Our family have had none of that. At the minute it looks like Andy is going to get 60 per cent of Stephen’s estate. Our mum and dad will get a fraction, but the estate still hasn’t been settled.”
