The final moments of Indian singer Zubeen Garg unfolded quietly in the waters off Singapore’s Lazarus Island, a coroner’s court heard this week, with investigators concluding that intoxication and the absence of a life jacket led to his death not foul play.

Garg, 52, had travelled to Singapore ahead of a scheduled performance at the North East India Festival when he joined a private yacht outing on September 19, 2025. He never returned from his second swim that afternoon.

Court testimony revealed that Garg had initially worn a life jacket while entering the water, but removed it later. When he chose to swim again, he declined another one offered to him.

“He entered the water without a life jacket and started swimming alone in the direction of Lazarus Island,” an investigating officer told the court, as cited by Channel News Asia.

Witnesses described seeing Garg struggle while attempting to swim back before he became motionless. He was pulled onto the yacht and given CPR, but was pronounced dead later that day. An autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death, with injuries linked to rescue efforts.

Toxicology results showed Garg’s blood alcohol level stood at 333 milligrams per 100 millilitres, more than four times Singapore’s legal driving limit. Investigators also recovered a partially consumed bottle of Scotch whisky from his hotel room.

Multiple people on board told the court they had seen Garg drinking alcohol, including liquor, gin and whisky. The yacht’s captain, identified as Crazy Monkey, said Garg appeared unsteady while boarding.

“When I saw him entering the water without a life jacket the second time, I told his friend that he is drunk, and if he wants to get into the water, he needs to wear a life jacket,” the captain testified.

Medical records presented in court confirmed Garg had hypertension and epilepsy, though experts said there was no physical evidence to suggest a seizure occurred at sea.

Singapore police reiterated that Garg was not pushed, threatened or coerced, and that there was no sign of suicidal intent. Thirty-five witnesses are expected to testify as the inquiry continues.

Despite conspiracy theories and criminal cases filed in India, Singapore authorities have consistently maintained that Garg’s death was accidental.