Gerry Ryan died of heart attack – toxicology report

Gerry Ryan: no illicit substances found

A TOXICOLoGY report has found that broadcaster Gerry Ryan died of a massive heart attack, the Sunday Tribune has learned.



It is understood there were no illicit substances in Ryan's system and that his family have been notified of the findings.



The broadcaster was found dead in a bedroom at his apartment at Upper Leeson Street in Donnybrook, Dublin, on 30 April by his partner, Melanie Verwoerd.



The GP who was called to the broadcaster's home after his sudden death did not sign the death certificate, as the cause of death could not immediately be determined, but the early indications were that the broadcaster's death was caused by a sudden cardiac arrest. Because the death cert indicating a cause of the death was not issued, a full post-mortem and a toxicology screening had to be carried out.



The toxicology results were recently presented to gardaí at Donnybrook in a medical report from the pathologist.



This report will now form part of a garda file, which is being prepared by officers for a coroner's inquest. The inquest is not expected to be held until next year and it will formally confirm the cause of his death was cardiac arrest.



The file will also outline the garda inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ryan's death. It will also include statements from investigating gardaí and from those who were first at the scene when his body was discovered. His partner will be requested to give evidence at the inquest about her discovery of his body.



Garda inquiries at the scene indicated that there were no suspicious circumstances. There was no sign of a struggle or forcible entry to the apartment and Ryan had no marks on his body.



Morah Ryan, from whom Gerry was separated, and the rest of the Ryan family are understood to be unhappy about some of the speculation in the media that Ryan did not die of natural causes.