Boney M.'s Bobby Farrell Died as a Result of Heart Disease

When Bobby Farrell unexpectedly passed away last week (Dec. 30) in Russia, little was known how the Boney M. singer died. Now, Russian officials reveal Farrell's cause of death was due to heart disease.

The 'Rasputin' performer was found dead by staff in his hotel room in St. Petersburg, Russia after he failed to respond to a wake-up call. Sergei Kaptionov, a spokesman for the St. Petersburg branch of Russia's Investigative Committee, told Russian news agencies Farrell's death was due to heart disease and was not a criminal matter.

According to his agent, John Seine, Farrell had complained of breathing problems before and after a show on Wednesday (Dec. 29), a day before his passing. He was scheduled to fly to Rome for a TV show that Friday.

Farrell, a native of Aruba, was Boney M.'s sole male member. Before touring as a group with singers Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett and Maizie Williams and becoming a chart staple in the UK and Europe, the singer-dancer worked mostly as a DJ in Germany. Boney M. officially disbanded in 1986, but Farrell went on to perform as a solo act.

Farrell is survived by a son and a daughter.