Pop Star George Michael Died of Natural Causes: Coroner
He sold well over 100 million albums globally, earned numerous Grammy and American Music Awards, and recorded duets with legends like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John
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Memorials are growing outside the home of George Michael as fans, “absolutely devastated” by the pop superstar’s death, bring flowers, candles, tears and recollections of how his songs touched their lives.
A British coroner says George Michael died of natural causes as the result of heart disease and a fatty liver.
Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire, says a post-mortem has found that the singer died of "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver."
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood is limited, while myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.
AP
British singer George Michael performs at a concert to raise money for AIDS charity Sidaction during the Symphonica tour at Palais Garnier Opera house in Paris, France, Sept. 9, 2012.
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English singer and musician George Michael, circa 1988.
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British singer George Michael performs during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.
British rock star George Michael performs in concert in March 1991.
The British pop duo Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley on guitar and George Michael on vocals, performs during a concert in Peking, China, April 7, 1985.
British singer George Michael leaves his house in north London, Dec. 23, 2011. George Michael, short of breath and appearing weak, said he has recovered from a life-threatening bout with pneumonia that kept him in a Vienna hospital for a month.
British singer George Michael performs at a concert to raise money for AIDS charity Sidaction, during the Symphonica tour at Palais Garnier Opera house in Paris, France, Sept. 9, 2012.
Pop star George Michael, then age 30, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Oct. 18, 1993, at the start of his court action against Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. Michael sued to have his 1988 contract with Sony, which could have run for another 12 to 15 years, declared unenforceable.
George Michael performs during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aug. 12, 2012, in London.
Michael died at his home in Oxfordshire county, southern England, on Dec. 25. He was 53. An initial autopsy failed to determine the cause of death.
Salter said Tuesday that because Michael died of natural causes, no inquest will be held.
British singer George Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said on Sunday. He was 53.
He sold well over 100 million albums globally, earned numerous Grammy and American Music Awards, and recorded duets with legends like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John.
Michael's former partner Kenny Goss told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth last month that he still feels the pop star's presence.
"I'm always asking him questions. Like coming to do this interview, I'm like, 'Darlin' I hope this is OK,' because he's really private," Goss said.
Footage shows towering flames in San Francisco as crews battle a fire caused by a gas explosion.
