27 July 2023 , 10:03
1019
0
Sinead O'Connor was found unresponsive at her home in south London, police have revealed in a statement.
The Nothing Compares 2 U singer's family shared the news of her death at 56 on Wednesday evening, sparking tributes from heartbroken friends and celebrities across the world. In her final social media post, Sinead tweeted a picture of her late son and wrote: "Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”
Police were called to Sinead's home in Lambeth, south east London on Wednesday morning following a report of an unresponsive woman at the home, however Sinead was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
The full statement read: "Police were called at 11:18hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman at a residential address in the SE24 area. Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner."
The Irish singer is survived by three children. Her son Shane passed away last year at the age of 17 after leaving hospital to take his own life while on suicide watch in January 2022. Confirming the news of Sinead's untimely death, her devastated family issued a statement which read: "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."
Sinéad O’Connor, 56, has died 18 months after her son's tragic death
Sinead has sadly died at the age of 56 (Redferns)
Tributes have flooded in for the late Irish singer (Getty Images)Born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Dublin on 8 December 1966, O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra, and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a new arrangement of Prince's song Nothing Compares 2 U.
Following the news of her tragic passing, tributes have poured in from celebrities far and wide who have gushed over her unmatched talent and her bravely in protesting and speaking out against social issues including abortion and religious abuse. After learning of Sinead's death, comedian Dara O'Briain told his Twitter followers: "Ah sh**e, Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her."
"Sinead was the true embodiment of a punk spirit. She did not compromise and that made her life more of a struggle. Hoping that she has found peace," The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess penned on Twitter. Actress Toni Collette penned on Twitter: "I adored this woman from afar as a teenager. I will always admire her. I was lucky enough to hang out with her a few times in my twenties. On one occasion we all sang in the hills of Wicklow in Eire.
Sinead is one of the most succesful and talented musicians to ever emerge from Ireland (Terry O'Neill / Iconic Images)"I sang a Jane Siberry song and Sinead then asked/encouraged me to sing one of my own. Can you imagine the terror? The intimidation? The thrill?! She was so talented, so generous, humble, resilient, courageous and true. What a voice. What a force. My heart breaks. Rest in real peace Sinead."
Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor said “the world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel”. McGregor, who Sinead once sang into the ring for a UFC fight in Las Vegas, wrote: “The world has lost an artist with the voice of an Angel. Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure.”
President Michael D Higgins praised Sinead's beautiful, unique voice" and her "fearless commitment to the important issues which she brought to public attention, no matter how uncomfortable those truths may have been".
“What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her,” he added in a statement. “The way in which she was able to move across the different forms of the arts was a singular achievement, as was the way her voice went around the world and how it was received.”
Mr Higgins continued: “Sinead O’Connor’s voice and delivery was in so many different ways original, extraordinary and left one with a deep impression that to have accomplished all she did while carrying the burden which she did was a powerful achievement in its own way.
Sinead has been described as an 'unmatched talent' after her tragic death (VEVO/YouTube/Avalon)“Her contribution joins those great achievements of Irish women who contributed to our lives, its culture and its history in their own unique but unforgettable ways. May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”
Sinead, who married four times and had four children, often spoke openly about her mental health struggles before her death, revealing during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show she had bipolar disorder and had suffered with suicidal thoughts. She cancelled a tour in 2012 saying she had suffered a “very serious breakdown”, then in November 2015, posted a message on Facebook saying she had taken an overdose at a hotel in Ireland.
Sinead O'Connor's heartbreaking final post before tragic death at just 56
In 2018 Sinead revealed that she had converted to Islam and would be adopting the name Shuhada’ Sadaqat and at the time, she said her new religion had given her some peace. “Christianity lied to me as an Irish person,” she said. “Christianity did nothing but rape the people of Ireland, metaphorically and literally. That’s why I like Islam. Because I can take the things I embraced with me. Jesus is still there but it’s the Jesus that makes sense to me.”
However, tragedy struck again in January 2022 when her 17-year-old son Shane was found dead after being reported missing two days previously. The singer described Shane as “the very light of my life” and said he had “decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God”, then worried fans again following her funeral by posting a series tweets in which she said she had “decided to follow my son”.
Aside from her music, O’Connor used her voice to raise awareness for charities, issues and causes throughout her career. however, the singer was at the centre of many controversies during her long career. Most notably, in 1992, she used a performance on Saturday Night Live to protest child abuse, ripping a picture of Pope John Paul II while singing the word “evil”.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch