OXFORDSHIRE, UK (CelebrityAccess) — Singer George Michael died at his home on Christmas day. He was 53.
In a statement, Michael's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.
"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."
According to the BBC, Michael was said to have "passed away peacefully at home" in Goring, Oxfordshire. Investigators were unable to determine a cause of death for the singer, but said that there were no suspicious circumstances.
"A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course. There will be no further updates from Thames Valley Police until the post-mortem has taken place," police said in a statment, according to the BBC.
Michael launched his career in the early 1980s along with his school mate Andrew Ridgeley as a part of the pop duo Wham! The duo scored hits such as "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", and "Wham Raps" and major western act to perform in China, but ended their professional relationship as Michael's solo career took off.
Michael went on to sell more than 100 million albums as a solo artist, with hit records such as Faith and its follow-up Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1.
Despite his success, his later career saw bad press as well as good. In 2006, he lost his right to drive after pleading guilty to driving under the influence following a motor vehicle accident. As well, he was arrested several times for a variety of charges, ranging from possession of marijuana and crack cocaine to "anonymous sex" in public washrooms.
In 2011, he spent two weeks in an intensive care unit with pneumonia while on tour and was airlifted to a hospital after sustaining a serious head injury in a car accident in 2013.
Over the course of his career, he won numerous accolades, including three Brit Awards and two Grammy Awards. – Staff Writers
Following the news of Michael's death, Elton John paid tribute to the his friend with a photo of himself with Michael, writing: "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend – the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."
