Princess Beatrice’s former boyfriend was found dead following a suspected drugs overdose less than a month after her mother was diagnosed with cancer for a second time.

Beatrice, cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry, dated Paolo Liuzzo in 2005 when she was 17 and he was around 23.

The Sun reported he was found dead in a room at the citizenM Miami Worldcenter hotel at 3.22pm on February 7, citing officer Michael Vega of the Miami Police Department.

The Miami Police Department said: “It was investigated as an overdose death. The investigation is open and ongoing.”

Beatrice, daughter of Prince Andrew, and Liuzzo began dating in July 2005 before splitting up the following May after it emerged he had been charged with manslaughter in 2002.

A fellow student, Jonathan R. Duchatellier, had died after a fight in an apartment building that May, though Liuzzo’s charge was later reduced to assault and he was given community service, according to the Daily Mail.

Near the start of their relationship, Beatrice’s mother, Sarah Ferguson said: “We all have our own journeys and have to learn our way but Beatrice is a sensible girl, soon to be 18, with many friends including Paolo.”

Liuzzo’s death came shortly after Ferguson, known as Fergie in Britain, announced over Instagram that she had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

In a post on January 22, she wrote: “I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

“It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was.

“Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.

“I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent.”

Jack Royston is Newsweek‘s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.

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