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Police track down man in Stephen Gately's flat at time of his death
Ellen WiddupUpdated 16:27pm on 12 Oct 2009
Police in Majorca have tracked down the Bulgarian man in Stephen Gately's flat at the time the singer died.
Devastated: Andy Cowles, left, found his partner Stephen Gately dead in the living room of their £1 million apartment
Giorgi Duchev is believed to have arrived home with the Boyzone star and his partner Andrew Cowles after meeting him in a gay club.
Life in pictures: Stephen Gately
Today, after giving police a statement, the 25-year-old told a friend he was “devastated” by the pop star's death and added:” I haven't had a wink of sleep since it happened”.
It was revealed today that Mr Cowles desperately tried to resuscitate the star after he found him slumped on a sofa. He performed the kiss of life after waking to find the singer collapsed at their Majorca apartment.
A judge overseeing the police investigation will now take witnesses statements from both Mr Cowles and the Bulgarian man Gately's family today dismissed reports that the 33-year-old singer had been on an eight-hour drinking session before his death, saying he was a “sensible man” and insisting his death was a “tragic accident”.
Lawyer Gerald Kean said: “I'm not suggesting that he wasn't drinking, not at all. But certainly not for eight hours.
“He spoke to a family member at about 12.30am on Saturday, he was on great form and getting ready to go out in Palma, which would have taken them an hour to get to.
“He would have got to Palma about 2am and I know he got back to his home before 6am, so he was only out for a few hours.
“He was a very sensible man. He enjoyed himself, he loved life. I was with him many a night and, if anything, late into nights he would look as though he had just arrived.”
Gately's Boyzone bandmates flew to Majorca by private jet last night to comfort Cowles at the apartment he shared with Gately, 33, in Puerto Andratx. They had married in a civil ceremony three years ago.
The band - Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch - made no comment as they left the apartment after just over an hour, keeping their heads down and wearing dark glasses.
Earlier Keating had said: “I'm devastated. We have lost a brother.” After leaving Cowles, Boyzone travelled to the Mon Port Hotel, a few miles away, where they stayed up until late in the restaurant, paying tribute to their friend.
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh was due to fly to Dublin today to be with Gately's family. Walsh, a close friend of Gately, was distraught upon hearing of his death and pulled out of last night's X Factor show to travel to Ireland.
He jetted back to London last night but his spokeswoman said he was due to fly back to Dublin today, although he had been in contact with the groups he is mentoring for the ITV talent show.
She said: “He has been speaking to them and will see them all at the end of the week. He is due to appear on The X Factor this weekend, but it depends on when Stephen's funeral is.”
Meanwhile, Spanish police said they hoped to trace a Bulgarian man called Giorgio who Gately and Cowles had invited to their £1m home after they met at a gay nightclub. Reports today suggested Gately had been found in a kneeling position with his face buried in the sofa.
A post mortem may not take place until tomorrow because today is a bank holiday in Spain.
Reader views (17)
To Stephens family may you find peace and comfort your son was a fantastic singer a beautiful voice may he rest in peace my heart goes out to you
- Julie, coventry - england, 14/10/2009 17:53
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i think some peoples comments on here are disgusting! it was a tragic accident a youg man of 33 who was loved by many has sadly died so to say it was his own doing is utterly appallling.... shame on you!! r.i.p stephen x thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad time x
- Kate78, prestwich manchester, 14/10/2009 09:00
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its just so so sad my condolences to his family
- Bernie Creed, mitchelstown co cork ireland, 13/10/2009 18:35
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I think some recent posts are appalling. If you have these thoughts about his being stupid/throwing his life away just keep them to yourselves. What value do you get from sharing them?
To Stephen's family: He was beautiful, may he rest in peace. I'm sure he lived life to the full and will be sorely missed.
Bernice.
- Bernice, London, 12/10/2009 18:47
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It is sad that posters are jumping to conclusions about Stephen's untimely death. Why not, at least allow a post-mortem to take place before being judgemental.
People, even famous ones, do die young from causes other than excess indulgence. It is hardly fair to Stephen's friends and family to castigate him.
- Alan Mead, London, UK, 12/10/2009 18:35
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Very sad new indeed, A sweet lovely guy and great talent. Condolences to all his family , husband and friends.
- Mark L, London, England, 12/10/2009 17:21
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We are sorry that this happened in Spain. But so many young British men come here and get so drunk they fall off balconies and sometimes die.
This man is not being "judged"...he was out for many hours, drank a lot and then passed out, vomitted and chocked on his own vomit.
This has happened to many people, even Mama Cass. It is a sad and unecessary ending to a very young life, and unfortunately it is predictable and banal for so many rich, famous pop-stars....from Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, who over-indulge in drink or drugs.
I am sorry for this man but I think he was stupid.
- Joan Llompart, Palma, Majorca, Spain., 12/10/2009 16:26
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I don't like to hear this singer's death compared to Diana, Princess of Wales. I am sure she valued her life and was prepared to live it to the full. This unfortunate young man drank his life away.... a terrible waste, but please do not compare him to Diana. I had heard vaguely of BoyZone but not of this particular man.
To become a rich, famous pop-star and then throw away your life because you can't stop boozing is sad indeed.
- Simon Cooper, Brighton, England., 12/10/2009 16:20
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My heartfelt sympathy to Ronan, Mikey, Shane and Keith. Just watching your DVDs esp. the off stage scenes tell me how true your love and friendship is with each other. Stephen, you were born to be loved, be at peace... you will be very much missed. To the Boyz, be well, keep safe. To Stephen's family, my condelences...
- Gem, Angeles City, Philippines, 12/10/2009 15:51
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RIP Steo. Sad times 
x
- Boyzone Fan From Back In The Day, London, UK, 12/10/2009 15:46
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The dangers of percieving celebrities as Demi-Gods is a dangerous act indeed.
25 to 30.000 children in Third World countries die of malnutrition every day do they get publicity.
When will the public attitude change to these often egoists who caught publicity for any trivial thing they do.
Im saddened by this Mans death and the grief of his immediate family but many mere mortals by into this celebrity life style culture which is very dangerous
- Barry Deane, Richmond, United Kingdom, 12/10/2009 14:19
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I cried my eyes out all day Sunday when I heard the tragic news.
- Andy Hight, Canary Wharf, London, 12/10/2009 13:49
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Yes it is sad, but this young man chose his lifestyle and I don't suppose anyone poured booze down his throat if that indeed was what killed him. Saying it's the most depressing news since Diana died rather trivialises the deaths of British soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as innocent children such as Baby Peter.
- Paul, London, 12/10/2009 13:36
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Sidney,it is only rumour and gossip at the moment as to reason of death.I did not like Boyzone but please,do not judge.
- Mike, london uk, 12/10/2009 13:27
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It is very sad, yes, but what I find sad is not just a life cut so short, but that a young, successful man with everything would just throw it all away, unable to control his lifestyle or drink-intake.
To drink yourself to death at 33 is sad indeed.
- Sidney Marks, London, UK, 12/10/2009 12:04
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It is always so sad when a young person is taken from us but I do question the level of publicity. If such publicity was given to each one of our service personnel when they lost their lives, I suspect we would have pulled out to Afghanistan long ago.
In saying that, my deepest sympathies to Mr gately's family, friends and fans - he had a great talent and his music will live on.
- Bob, london, 12/10/2009 11:34
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What a sad day for another useless loss of life. I had not felt so depressed as I did yesterday after reading the tragic news of Stephen's death, since Lady Diana was snatched from us in the prime of her life. The last time I saw him on tv was on the Paul O'Grady show and he was proudly cuddling his new pet pooch, who I am sure along with his partner and all his family and friends is missing him greatly. My thoughts are with all those involved and I just cannot say how sorry I am for this sad, sad, happening.
- Anon, uk, 12/10/2009 09:31
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