Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was in Chicago when the news broke that his fellow Boyzone band mate, Stephen Gately, passed away while holidaying with partner Andy Cowles in the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Keating and the remaining members of the boyband flew to Spain on Sunday evening and visited Cowles at Gately’s apartment in Port Andrax, where the 33-year-old was found dead.
He was described as a “friend and brother” by his band mates and said that he “lit up our lives.” The band added a statement, saying:
“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. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen’s family. We love you and will miss you forever.”
Police were called Saturday afternoon to the house on the western tip of the island. “At the moment it is not known how he died,” a police spokesman said. “There are no signs of suspicious circumstances.”
Gerald Kean, a spokesman for the Gately family, said that his death is due to natural causes.
“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. 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.”
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh meanwhile pulled out of X Factor following the death of Gately. “He thanks you all for the messages of support at this sad time,” his spokeswoman said.
The family hopes to have the remains of Gately returned to Ireland for a funeral in Dublin. A post mortem will be conducted in Spain.
Sir Elton John, who introduced Cowles to Gately, said that he is “stunned by this tragedy.
“Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul,” he said. “We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends.”
