How Did George Michael Die? Medical Examiner Investigates ‘Unexplained’ Death

George Michael, the iconic 80s and 90s singer, was found dead at 53 on Sunday at his home in Goring in Oxfordshire, England. The question of exactly how he died remains undetermined. “Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2 p.m. Christmas Day. Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious,”  Thames police said in a statement.

Michael Lippman, Michael’s manager, said that the singer had died of “heart failure in bed, lying peacefully,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage,” Michael’s publicist said in a statement.

> READ: WHO IS FADI FAWAZ, GEORGE MICHAEL’S BOYFRIEND

In recent years, Michael experienced a number of brushes with the law including an arrest for indecent exposure in Los Angeles. He exhibited erratic behavior in public. He was arrested and banned from driving in 2006 for falling asleep at a traffic intersection. Crack cocaine was found in his vehicle. In 2010, he was sentenced to eight weeks in jail for crashing his Range Rover into a photo store while under the influence of pot.

Michael came out as gay in the 90s and, in recent years, went public with his relationship with boyfriend Fadi Fawaz. In 2011, Fawaz, a Lebanese celebrity hairstylist, whose clients include Naomi Campbell, stayed by Michael’s side while he battled pneumonia.