Pop superstar George Michael dies aged 53

The former Wham! singer was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire on Christmas Day. His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

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George Michael died from natural causes - there will be no inquest

A post mortem examination has revealed that George Michael died from natural causes.

The 53-year-old singer was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames - on Christmas Day. The original post mortem was inconclusive - but the coroner confirmed the investigation has finished - and there will NOT be an inquest.

Well our reporter Mel Bloor reports from outside his home in Goring.

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George Michael died from natural causes

George Michael died from natural causes. The singer, who lived at Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, passed away on Christmas Day.

Inquiries into the death have been concluded Credit: PA

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

– senior coroner Darren Salter

Michael, who rose to fame as the frontman of Wham! and had chart-topping hits including Last Christmas and Freedom, suffered health scares and fought drug addiction for years.

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

In some cases, it is an inherited condition. Otherwise, it is caused by things such as viral infections, uncontrolled high blood pressure, problems with the heart valves or excessive drinking.

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.

Michael's former partner Kenny Goss has previously said he believed the pop superstar's body "just gave up".

More tests due as post-mortem finds cause of George Michael's death 'inconclusive'

George Michael performing in 2012 Credit: Max Nash/PA Wire

Further tests will be carried out on the body of George Michael after a post mortem found the cause of his death to be 'inconclusive'.

The results of these tests are unlikely to be known for several weeks.

Thames Valley Police says it is preparing a file for the Oxfordshire Coroner.

Mr Michael’s death is still being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

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George Michael post-mortem to be held 'in due course'

George Michael performing in 2012 Credit: Max Nash/PA Wire

The Oxfordshire Coroner's Office has said the post-mortem examination on singer George Michael will be "undertaken in due course". The 53-year-old star was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day.

Michael's publicist said his family and friends had been "touched beyond words" by the "incredible outpouring of love" from fans, adding there were no suspicious circumstances around his death, which was reported to have been caused by heart failure.

Oxfordshire Coroner's Office said a post-mortem examination was still to be carried out but couldn't say when it would take place or whether an inquest would be held.

It said in a statement: "All of this is in accordance with normal procedures and does not imply that there is currently any reason to believe the cause of death is in any way suspicious."

Crowds continue to flock to George Michael's Oxfordshire home

Hundreds of flowers have now been placed outside the singer's home following his death from heart failure on Christmas Day. The local church in Goring on Thames has also become a focus for those wanting to pay their respects. Here's our report from Mary Stanley

George Michael was found dead by partner at Oxfordshire home

George Michael's was found dead at his home, Mill Cottage, in Goring-on-Thames Credit: ITV Meridian

George Michael was found dead in his bed at his home in Goring-on-Thames by his partner, Fadi Fawaz.

He had gone in to wake up the pop superstar ahead of a planned Christmas Day lunch.

George Michael's death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious Credit: PA/PA Wire

Fawaz told the Daily Telegraph: "I went round there to wake him up and he was just gone, lying peacefully in bed. We don't know what happened yet."

Thames Valley Police say the death of the singer is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

Michael's manager Michael Lippman said it was believed he had died from heart failure, while his publicist said he "passed away peacefully at home".

Fans have been gathering to pay tribute to the singer outside his home Credit: ITV Meridian
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