George Michael died of natural causes, coroner confirms

George Michael died of natural causes, a coroner has revealed
PA

George Michael died of natural causes, a coroner has confirmed.

The singer had dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood is decreased.

He was also suffering myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, and had a fatty liver, it was announced on Tuesday.

Oxfordshire's senior coroner Darren Salter said in a statement: "Inquires 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 inquiries.

"No further updates will be provided and the family requests the media and public respect their privacy."

More than two months after his death, the singer's body will now be returned to his family for a planned funeral.

Michael's boyfriend, Fadi Fawaz, tweeted a black and white photograph of the him being embraced by Michael with the caption: "The Truth is out..."

Michael was found dead aged 53 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day.

Thames Valley Police said an initial post-mortem in December proved inconclusive and further tests would be required.

The Wham! star's death was unexplained but not suspicious, police said.

George Michael - In pictures

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He said last week: "I can't say for sure but I think his body just gave up.

"All these years, it was just weak."

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, which becomes stretched and thin, affecting how blood is able to pump around the body.

It can be inherited or caused by things such as viral infections, uncontrolled high blood pressure, problems with the heart valves or excessive drinking.

According to the British Heart Foundation, there is no cure.

Some people develop other conditions as a result of it, including abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots or chest pain.

Myocarditis is inflammation in or around the heart and is usually caused by a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.

Symptoms include pain or tightness in the chest which can spread to other parts of the body.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is 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.

Tributes were paid to the singer at the recent Brit and Grammy awards ceremonies.

Coldplay's Chris Martin sang alongside Michael's rendition of ballad A Different Corner at the Brits while clips from his career were played.

The performance followed a tearful speech from Michael's former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and the band's backing singers Helen DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman, otherwise known as Pepsi & Shirlie.

Ridgeley said: "On Christmas Day 2016, the greatest singer-songwriter of his generation, an icon of his era and my beloved friend George Michael was lost."

He described Michael as a "supernova" and that his death "felt like the sky had fallen in".

At the Grammys, Adele performed a slowed-down version of Michael's song Fast Love after restarting her first rendition, saying the tribute was "too important".

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