Beatrice was told ex Paolo Liuzzo had died from an 'overdose' in $300-a-night Miami hotel room just weeks after Fergie was diagnosed with skin cancer, it emerges - as playboy son of petrochemical tycoon is laid to rest by close family in Brooklyn

Princess Beatrice found out her ex-boyfriend - and first love - had died from a suspected overdose in a Miami hotel room shortly after learning her mother had skin cancer, it emerged today.

Paolo Liuzzo is said to have been battling a cycle of drugs, gambling, violence and debt before he passed away aged 41. 

Beatrice is said to be devastated by the news of Mr Liuzzo's death after police were called to a room at the luxury citizenM Miami Worldcenter hotel on the afternoon of February 7, where rooms cost $300-a-night. Police are still investigating.

It had already been a difficult few weeks for Beatrice. On January 22 it was revealed her mother, Sarah, the Duchess of York, had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma - a form of skin cancer. Paolo had described Fergie as a 'second mother'.

MailOnline can reveal that Paolo was laid to rest in his native Brooklyn, New York, at an intimate funeral attended by close friends and family.

Relatives of Paolo, the son of an Italian plastic resin tycoon, asked mourners to plant trees in his memory. He is survived by his mother and at least one brother.

One family who knew Paolo when he was a child said in their tribute on his 'memorial wall': 'My family is saddened by the news of Paolo's passing. Our memories of Paolo during his soccer years on Long Island were always joyful and fun. Our deepest sympathy to his mom and all his team mates who remember him as fondly as we do'.

Princess Beatrice 's ex-boyfriend Paolo Liuzzo has been found dead from a suspected overdose in a Miami hotel room

Paolo Liuzzo watches the court procedings before his arraignment for attempted murder.  The cause of death has not officially been reported, but is being investigated by Miami police as an overdose 

In recent years, Liuzzo has been living a 'very fast lifestyle,' according to his close friend. Insiders have revealed that Liuzzo struggled with gambling as well as drugs, and claimed he had racked up debts with loan sharks before he died 

Miami police said Luizzo was found dead at citizenM Miami Worldcenter hotel

Prince Andrew's daughter started dating Liuzzo in 2005 when she was 17 and he was 24, but the pair separated in 2006. 

Beatrice is said to be devastated by the news of Liuzzo's death, according to The Sun, after police were called to a room at the citizenM Miami Worldcenter hotel at 3.22pm on February 7.

Jonathan Duchatellier. Paolo Liuzzo was once accused of killing his fellow student. Liuzzo was originally charged with manslaughter but he escaped a prison term after he admitted lesser charges in 2004

The cause of death has not officially been reported, but officer Michael Vega of the Miami Police Department said: 'It was investigated as an overdose death. The investigation is open and ongoing.'

A spokesman told MailOnline that there have been no arrests. 

Insiders said that Liuzzo struggled with gambling as well as drugs, and reportedly claimed he had racked up debts with loan sharks. A friend of Liuzzo told The Sun: 'Paolo was not doing great on a personal level.

'He began using a lot of pharmaceutical drugs at first but that later led to cocaine and harder drugs. It was a very fast lifestyle and we all feared it would catch up with him eventually.' 

Liuzzo had reportedly struggled with drugs and was previously arrested in Australia over a string of offenses including possessing cocaine. 

He was arrested on the Gold Coast on September 27, 2009, after crashing an $90,0000 black Audi hire car into traffic lights.

The then-27-year-old also failed to pay for accommodation and restaurant bills at Conrad Jupiters casino.

Australian law enforcement charged Liuzzo with fraud, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing two grams of cocaine and driving without due care and attention. Liuzzo pleaded guilty and was fined $5,000. 

His controversial past began in 2002 when he was charged with the manslaughter of a fellow student at the College of the Holy Cross. 

Prince Andrew and Ferguson encouraged Beatrice's romance with Liuzzo, despite the seven year age difference and his criminal past

Liuzzo and Beatrice (pictured) met through mutual friends and began dating in July 2005 and they managed to keep the relationship secret for almost a year

Beatrice (pictured here with her parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson) was reportedly heartbroken when their romance ended and she returned to Goldsmiths, which is part of the University of London

'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,' Beatrice's mother Sarah Ferguson (pictured left with Beatrice) when the relationship began

His fellow student, 19-year-old Jonathan R. Duchatellier, died as a result of a fight that took place on May 5, 2002 in an off-campus apartment building at 510 Cambridge St. which involved Liuzzo. 

The charge was later reduced to assault and Liuzzo served a community sentence. 

Liuzzo, who is from Woodbury, New York, was considered a U.S. socialite at the time of his romance with Beatrice.

Liuzzo and Beatrice met through mutual friends and began dating in July 2005 and they managed to keep the relationship secret for almost a year - but they split in May 2006 when reports of the manslaughter charge surfaced, causing a sensation.

Prince Andrew and Ferguson encouraged Beatrice's romance with Liuzzo, despite the seven year age difference and his criminal past.

'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,' Beatrice's mother said when the relationship began. 

The royal pair invited Liuzzo on a family vacation to the exclusive Swiss ski resort Verbier. 

It subsequently emerged that Liuzzo had flouted the conditions of his probation to holiday with the Queen's granddaughter and her family - including Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York - in Switzerland in 2006.

Liuzzo (pictured in court right) had reportedly struggled with drugs and was previously arrested in Australia over a string of offenses including possessing cocaine

As a result he was hauled back to the U.S. where he had his three-year probation extended by the courts as punishment, forcing Beatrice to end the fledgling romance. 

In 2007 he embarrassed the Royal Family by claiming marijuana was smoked in the presence of Beatrice, her sister Eugenie and their mother, Sarah Ferguson, while they were on holiday in Jamaica.

He was among a party of eight including the Princesses who went on a ten-day holiday to the Caribbean in 2005.

The self-described playboy also confessed to cheating on Beatrice during their relationship - and said she had wanted to introduce him to the Queen.

Beatrice was reportedly heartbroken when their romance ended and she returned to Goldsmiths, which is part of the University of London. 

Liuzzo's death certificate revealed that he had been working as a consultant in the art industry and had never married. 

His body was transported to Long Island, New York, where he grew up and a funeral was held on February 16.