Singapore Coroner Rules Zubeen Garg's Death Accidental Drowning

Singapore's State Coroner has officially ruled the death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg as accidental drowning, closing a case that had drawn widespread attention and public speculation since his passing on September 19, 2025.

The ruling, delivered on March 25, 2026, followed a full investigation by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and a formal Coroner's Inquiry — a fact-finding process under Singapore law to establish the cause and circumstances of death.

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According to the SPF's statement, Zubeen Garg was on a yacht trip in the waters off Lazarus Island, Singapore, when the incident occurred.

He had initially worn a life jacket while swimming but later removed it and returned to the yacht. When he entered the water a second time, he swam alone and away from the yacht — without a life jacket, despite being offered one before entering the water.

While swimming back toward the yacht, he was observed to have become unresponsive.

The yacht's captain and members of his group promptly pulled him from the water and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on board.

A Police Coast Guard boat was dispatched shortly after the emergency call and officers arrived quickly to assist. Paramedics attended to Garg upon reaching shore, and he was conveyed by ambulance to Singapore General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Post-mortem findings, including toxicology analysis and autopsy results, were consistent with death by drowning, the SPF confirmed.

Toxicology results revealed a blood ethanol concentration of 333 mg/100 ml — a level the SPF said would have caused severe intoxication, significantly impairing coordination and reflexes. Other substances detected in his system were within therapeutic ranges, consistent with his existing medical conditions of epilepsy and hypertension.

The coroner also found no evidence to suggest that Garg's death was caused by an anaphylactic reaction to any medication, substance, food, or drink — addressing a line of speculation that had circulated publicly following his death.

The SPF submitted its findings to Singapore's State Coroner, who considered all available evidence before delivering the ruling on March 25, 2026.

The coroner ruled the death of Zubeen Garg as accidental drowning, with no evidence of foul play — a conclusion consistent with what the SPF had independently established through its own investigation.

In its statement, the SPF extended condolences to Garg's family and loved ones, and reminded the public to refrain from making comments that could impugn the integrity of the court's judgment or the judicial process.