More than two months after legendary singer George Michael was found dead in his home on Christmas Day at just 53 years old, a U.K. coroner has determined that the Wham! front man died of natural causes from dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver disease, The Telegraph reports.
Inquiries into the death of George Michael — known for ’80s hits like “Careless Whisper” and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” — are now fully concluded, according to the report, and no additional information will be released about the star’s circumstances of death. The coroner’s statement puts an end to months of media and fan speculation around how the star died so young.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle that causes it to become stretched and thin, which affects how blood is able to pump throughout the body. In some cases, DCM is an inherited condition. It can also be caused by viral infections, uncontrolled high blood pressure, problems with the heart valves and excessive alcohol consumption.
Myocarditis is inflammation around the heart and is typically caused by a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
Michael’s third condition at the time of his death, fatty liver disease, is caused by a buildup of fat in the liver that can eventually cause scarring and inflammation. There are two types of fatty liver disease—alcoholic liver disease (ALD), caused by excessive drinking, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), linked to obesity and diabetes. From the coroner’s report, it is unclear which type of fatty liver disease the singer had been suffering from.
Tributes to the singer continue in print and on social media. In addition to his legendary music career, Michael was known as a champion of and fundraiser for many causes, including HIV/AIDS, LGBT rights and mental health counseling for children.
Click here to learn more about the pop idol’s health and human rights legacy.
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