George Michaels dies at 53

George Michael, the singer who shot to stardom in the Eighties as a member of Wham! and then as a solo artist, has died at his home in Goring in Oxfordshire, England. No cause of death was revealed, but police reported that he did not die under suspicious circumstances. Michael was 53.

“Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2 p.m. Christmas Day,” police said in a statement. “Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.”

“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,” his rep said in a statement. “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”

Michael sold more than 100 million albums in his lifetime, bridging teenybopper pop and R&B both with Wham!, a duo that also featured singer Andrew Ridgeley, and as a solo artist.