Police to investigate 'whether drugs played a part' in George Michael's mystery death as a post-mortem examination proves 'inconclusive'

  • Thames Valley Police confirmed that further tests could take 'several weeks'
  • Toxicology tests will have to be carried out to try and establish cause of death 
  • Today's inconclusive outcome means a full inquest is likely to take place
  • Michael was found dead at his cottage in Goring-on-Thames on Christmas Day 
  • 53-year-old Wham! star was found by his hairdresser boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, 43 
  • The Careless Whisper singer is set to have two funerals to mourn his passing

A post-mortem examination into the cause of George Michael's death has proved 'inconclusive', police have said

Tests will be carried out to see whether drugs contributed to George Michael's death after a post-mortem examination proved 'inconclusive', it emerged today.

Thames Valley Police confirmed further tests - likely to include a toxicology report - would be carried out to establish what caused the singer's sudden death.

The 53-year-old's publicist announced on Christmas Day that Michael had died from heart failure.

But, in a statement released today, police said further tests could take 'several weeks', meaning the cause is still unknown.  

Among the range of tests carried out after inconclusive post-mortem examinations is a toxicology report which looks at blood and tissue to establish whether any toxic substances contributed to the death.

The test - which can take between six to eight weeks to complete - looks at prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol and any other chemical substances which the toxicologist has been instructed to test for.  

Police added that the sudden death was still being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. 

But the revelations mean a full inquest is likely to be held into Michael's death, because no natural cause of death has been established. 

And it seems that Michael will have two funerals in the New Year to allow family, friends and fans to mourn his passing. 

It has been rumoured that his close friend and fellow pop star Elton John could perform at his funeral.

The duo famously performed Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me together in 1991.  

A Thames Valley Police statement said: 'The cause of death is inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out. The results of these tests are unlikely to be known for several weeks. 

'Thames Valley Police will prepare a file for the Oxfordshire Coroner. Mr Michael's death is still being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.' 

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

The Careless Whisper singer - whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - was found in his bed by his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, who had gone to wake him up ahead of a planned Christmas Day lunch. 

Last night, Fadi was seen at the megastar's home for the first time since finding him dead.

In a statement about Michael's death, Fadi - who had been in a relationship with Michael since 2009 - spoke about how excited they had been to share Christmas together.

Fadi Fawaz was last night pictured emerging from George Michael's home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, days after he found the singer dead 

The 43-year-old hairdresser was last seen at the property on Christmas Eve (pictured), ahead of what he believed would be festive celebrations with his boyfriend

He said: 'We were supposed to be going for Christmas lunch. I went round there to wake him up and he was just gone, lying peacefully in bed.

'We don't know what happened yet. Everything had been very complicated recently, but George was looking forward to Christmas, and so was I.'    

Fadi later tweeted that he would 'never stop missing' the star.  

He said: 'ITs a xmas i will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning.. I will never stop missing you xx.'  

Days later, he posted a poignant link to one of star's 'lost' songs online, but had to take it down amid a legal row over property rights.    

The song, 'This Kind of Love', was from the Wham! star's unreleased album Trojan Souls.    

But the following day, Fadi found Michael's 'lifeless' body in his bed at the cottage. The pair are pictured together in London in 2012

Fadi, pictured with Michael in 2012, is expected to inherit some money from the singer's estate

The song, said to have been produced with Elton John, was part of an album conceived of in 1991 and due to go on sale in 1993, but which was never finished, reportedly due to a legal wrangle. 

The song includes the touching lyrics: 'Now everyone has to get over I know. But this empty house seems to get colder and colder. So won't you stay here with me?

'Now that I found you. I can't let you go.' 

But Fadi later removed the link as lawyers for Michael's estate attempt to have the song wiped from the internet, citing intellectual property rights.

Those in charge of the estate insist the star did not want the song released and 'unauthorised reproductions' are an 'exploitation of the material'.  

Yesterday it was reported that Michael was planning to leave some of his money to his boyfriend (pictured together in 2012)

It is unclear whether the star's family are behind the move, but it is thought Michael recorded at least two albums that were never released. 

After removing the link, Fadi posted another message, apparently aimed at those trying to prevent fans from hearing it.

He wrote: 'The song I posted was found online they are many versions of it, please do your research if u think you r professional in what u do.'

Despite the row, fans offered their support to Fadi and some called for the song to be properly released.

Emma Strickland wrote: 'The unfinished Trojan Souls album...what a gift that would be right now...such remarkable music, such a remarkable man...no words.'

Danni Michael added: 'This song must be edited. There are a lot of George's fans that don't know it.'

Another follower added: 'All the lovelies [Michael's name for his fans] around the World are at your side in these painful moments. Take care Fadi. Love xx'.

But the idea to release Michael's unheard albums was swiftly rebuffed by Michael's former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, who said the singer's decisions over his own music should be respected. 

Ridgeley tweeted: 'No, #GM controlled all his output. I, nor anyone else have the right to trangress that principle.' 

Andros Georgiou, Michael's cousin, said he had demos from the singer that 'pop stars today with kill for'.

He told the Times he had no plans to release them, adding it was too early to speculate on whether any more material would be released.  

Michael, 53, is understood to have left £50million of his estimated £105million estate to his 55-year-old  sister Melanie, pictured together, to whom he was particularly close

Michael's Godchildren are also thought to be named in his will. The singer was Godfather to Martin Kemp's children Harley Moon and Roman, pictured with their father in 2009

Yesterday it was reported that Michael was planning to leave some of his money to his boyfriend, but that his sister Melanie would inherit the bulk of his estate. 

George Michael's sister is expected to inherit half of the singer's fortune following his shock death from heart failure, it has been reported. 

The 53-year-old is understood to have left £50million of his estimated £105million estate to 55-year-old hairdresser Melanie, to whom he was particularly close. 

Michael's other sister, Yioda, 57, is also expected to inherit part of the fortune, the Sun reported. His Godchildren are also thought to be named in his will.  

The star was a long-term supporter of a number of charities - including Childline, the Terrence Higgins Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support - who could also be bequeathed large sums. 

A source told the Sun: 'George was very close to his sisters, and the understanding is that they're going to inherit most of his wealth, par­ticularly Melanie who he was incredibly close to.

'She was there at many of the big milestones in his life, and was there by his side until the very end.' 

Melanie used to cut her brother's hair and was once hired as a make-up artist for a tour of China, the newspaper reported.

It was previously reported that Michael's Godchildren are also likely to inherit large sums from the singer's will. 

Devastated fans once again left flowers outside the singer's London home on Thursday

Michael was Godfather to Roman and Harley Moon Kemp, the children of his Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman and Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp.

Michael is also expected to leave money to Geri Horner's daughter Bluebell, who was the Goddaughter of his ex-boyfriend Kenny Goss, the Daily Mirror reported. 

His cousin Andros' two children, to whom he is also a Godfather, are also expected to inherit some money.

As well as a large sums from royalties, Michael is understood to have been well paid to perform at private parties and events in the decade before his death.

He is understood to own at least four properties, including the Oxfordshire cottage where he died, his mansion in London and lavish homes in New York and Sydney.

As well as his four lavish properties, Michael is said to have invested his money in art with the help of his ex-boyfriend, art dealer Kenny Goss.   

Michael's family are waiting for a post mortem examination to take place to shed light on how he died.

Although police have said his death is not suspicious, if no natural cause of death can be confirmed an inquest will take place. 

 

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