Shane MacGowan's cause of death has been determined a week after he passed away.
The Pogues frontman succumbed after a long battle with health issues. His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, and BBC said he died peacefully in his sleep while surrounded by his loved ones, but his conditions also took the spotlight for their potential role in his death.
Shane MacGowan's Cause of Death Revealed
Clarke exclusively told The New York Times (via People) that MacGowan died from pneumonia in a hospital on November 30, less than a month before his what would have been 66th birthday. He suffered from viral encephalitis starting in December 2022 and had been in and out of the medical facility in the months leading to his passing.
His wife told The Independent in 2016 that his health issues started while he was also dealing with alcohol problems.
"Shane has been a singer all his life, singing in bars and clubs and other venues where people go to drink and have fun. If anyone is not drinking, it is unusual in these places," she said. "So the drinking has not just been a recreational activity, his whole career has revolved around it and, indeed, been both enhanced and simultaneously inhibited by it."
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MacGowan also struggled with consumption of Class A drugs before his health took a turn for the worse in 2016 following a fall that left him with excruciating hip pain. After fracturing his pelvis, he was advised to undergo physiotherapy and rest at home instead.
He then endured mobility issues from that day.
His cause of death, pneumonia, previously attacked him. He forced himself to finally give up on alcohol and substance addition after suffering from the health issue.
In addition, MacGowan sustained more injuries in the next years, as well as oral health issues and dentistry complications.
He was diagnosed with viral encephalitis, which causes a person's brain to become inflamed. It can be fatal if left untreated.
"The light is killing me [...] but I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and Happy Christmas. And many more, and all the luck in the world and all the love. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year, love Shane," he wrote after revealing his heartbreaking diagnosis.
READ MORE: Shane MacGowan's Final Post Before Death Unveiled His Wife's Fears
