Landing page banner

In response to media queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirms that investigations into the death of Mr Zubeen Garg in Singapore on 19 September 2025 have concluded and there is no evidence of foul play.

In accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010, the SPF investigated the case thoroughly, and examined available evidence and recorded statements from all relevant witnesses. 

SPF’s investigations established that Mr Zubeen Garg was on a yacht trip in the waters off Lazarus Island. He had initially worn a life jacket while swimming but later removed it and returned to the yacht without his life jacket on him. When he entered the water the second time, he swam alone and away from the yacht without a life jacket, despite being offered one before entering the water. Subsequently, while swimming back towards the yacht, he was observed to have become unresponsive.

He was promptly rescued by the captain of the yacht and members of his group and brought back to the yacht, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately administered. A Police Coast Guard boat was dispatched shortly after the emergency call, and officers arrived promptly to render assistance. Mr Zubeen Garg was attended to by paramedics upon reaching shore and was conveyed promptly by ambulance to Singapore General Hospital, where he subsequently passed away.

Post-mortem findings, including toxicology analysis and autopsy results, were consistent with a case of death by drowning. The toxicology analysis revealed a high concentration of ethanol (333mg/100ml) in his blood sample, which would have caused severe intoxication, impaired coordination and reflexes in an individual not habituated to ethanol. Other substances detected were within therapeutic ranges and consistent with his existing medical conditions of epilepsy and hypertension.

The findings were submitted to the State Coroner for the Coroner’s Inquiry (CI), which is a fact-finding process led by the State Coroner to establish the cause and circumstances of death. The State Coroner considered all evidence, including the SPF’s investigation findings, and ruled the death of Mr Zubeen Garg as an accidental drowning on 25 March 2026, with no evidence of foul play, consistent with what SPF had found through our investigations. The Coroner also found no evidence to suggest that Mr Zubeen Garg’s death was caused by an anaphylactic reaction to medications, substances, food, or drinks.

The SPF extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Zubeen Garg. Members of the public are reminded to refrain from comments that impugn the integrity of the Court’s judgment or the judicial process.