Gately 'died of natural causes'

The official said a post mortem had established that the singer suffered a pulmonary oedema, an accumulation of fluid on the lungs.

She said the pulmonary oedema had been "acute" and added: "If all these steps (witness statements and tests) confirm the natural causes the case will be closed."

She could not say whether Mr Gately had been taking any drugs or alcohol but either way, they were not the cause of death. She declined to say whether Mr Gately had vomited before his death.

Mr Cowles, who was told of the post mortem results before the hearing, was ushered out of court looking upset.

Gately, 33, was found dead on Saturday. He was discovered on the sofa in his apartment in Port Andratx after a night out partying with Mr Cowles.

A sample of pulmonary fluid taken during the post-mortem will be sent to a forensic laboratory in Barcelona for further tests to confirm the result, the court official said.

The official added that the investigation into the death will continue as a formality with Mr Cowles and one other person declared as official witnesses.

The second witness is thought to be Bulgarian Georgi Dochev, 25, who went back to the apartment with Mr Gately and Mr Cowles after their night out and has described finding the singer's lifeless body the next day.

Lawyer Gerald Kean, a spokesman for Mr Gately's family in Ireland, said papers have been signed to allow the release of his body. But he said it may be two days before it is returned to Ireland.