Police have issued a statement on the death of Sinead O’Connor, as tributes pour in for the Irish singer who died on Wednesday (26 July), aged 56.
O’Connor was found “unresponsive” in “a residential address” in the Lambeth area of London, police said.
According to The Irish Sun, authorities said in a statement that O’Connor “was pronounced dead at the scene” and that her “death is not being treated as suspicious”.
The cause of her death was unknown last night. Polarizing Irish singer-songwriter was unlikely pop superstar, though mental-health issues persisted throughout her career,
Born Sinead Marie Ber
nadette O'Connor in Glenageary, County Dublin, in December 1966, the singer had a difficult childhood.
The Irish singer’s death came 18 months after her 17-year-old son Shane died after leaving a hospital while on suicide watch. O’Connor had three other children.
In a statement, the singer's family said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
Minister for Culture and Arts Catherine Martin said she was “so sorry” that the “immensely talented” O’Connor had died.
“Her unique voice and innate musicality was incredibly special ... My thoughts are with her family and all who are heartbroken on hearing this news Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.”
O'Connor had been open about her struggle with mental illness throughout her career. Just recently, she shared on Facebook that she had moved back to London after 23 years and was working on an album set to be released next year. She also had plans for tours across various continents in the coming years.
“Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song originally written by Prince and released under his side project, the Family. O’Connor’s rendition reached No. 1 in several countries, and remained atop the charts in Ireland for 11 weeks.
Lst year or so far, Sinead O'Connor decleared: " I am with cops now on way to hospital. I'm sorry"
Sinead O'Connor has been admitted to hospital after posting concerning tweets following the death of her son. (Music.News)
The Nothing Compares 2 U singer recently confirmed the death of her 17-year-old son Shane, whose body was found on 7 January, a day after he went missing while he was on suicide watch at an Irish hospital.
The Irish singer worried her Twitter followers by announcing that she had "decided to follow my son" as there "is no point living without him".
The 55-year-old followed up her distressing thread an hour later by reassuring her fans that she was on her way to a hospital.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I am with cops now on way to hospital. I'm sorry I upset everyone. I am lost without my kid and I hate myself. Hospital will help a while," she tweeted.
However, she concluded her post with the message, "But I'm going to find Shane. This is just a delay."
In the comments, a user revealed he had called police officers to do a welfare check on O'Connor after reading her tweets, in which she blamed herself for Shane's death and said she didn't "deserve to live".
I’m going to take private time now to grieve my son. When I am ready I will be telling exactly how the Irish State in the ignorant, evil, self-serving, lying forms of Tusla and the HSE enabled and facilitated his death. Magdalene Ireland never went away. Ask the youth.
The singer announced the news on Twitter in the early hours of 8 January, writing: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God. (Independent)
My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God. May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace:
— Sinead The 1 And Only (@OhSineady) January 8, 2022
“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
The Irish singer, at that time, 55, also shared the Bob Marley song “Ride Natty Ride”, with the caption: “This is for my Shaney. The light of my life. The lamp of my soul. My blue-eye baby. You will always be my light. We will always be together. No boundary can separate us.”
— Sinead The 1 And Only (@OhSineady) January 8, 2022
Shane, whose parents are O’Connor and Irish musician Dónal Lunny, was reported missing earlier this week.Irish police force An Garda Síochána had issued a report appealing for information on 6 January after the teenager went missing from an area of Dublin.
On 8 January, Gardaí confirmed to the Irish Examiner that the search had stopped following the discovery of a body in Bray, County Wicklow.
A spokesperson for the police said: ‘Following the recovery of a body in the Bray area of Wicklow on Friday, 7 January 2022, a Missing Person Appeal in respect of Shane O’Connor, 17 years, has been stood down.
“An Garda Síochána would like to thank the media and public for their assistance in this matter. No further action is required and no further information is available at this time.”
O’Connor has previously tweeted about Shane’s father, Lunny, writing in May last year: “I am very fond of him. And vastly admire his Beatles-esque effect on Irish traditional music. He is also a lovely, kind father to our son.”
