Sinead O’Connor found ‘unresponsive and pronounced dead at scene’ as cops issue statement on tragic death
SINEAD O’Connor was found “unresponsive” at a London residence before she was tragically pronounced dead aged just 56.
The legendary singer’s death is not being treated as suspicious, Met Police confirmed.
Cops said: “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.”
Tributes poured in after the death of one of Ireland’s most famous voices was confirmed last night.
The Nothing Compares 2 U icon’s family said they were “devastated” at the death of their “beloved Sinead” – just 18 months after the death of her 17-year-old son Shane.
Her heartbroken family confirmed: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead.
“Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
President Michael D Higgins said Ireland has lost “one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers”.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Sinead’s talent was “unmatched and beyond compare”.
Former Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy said: “We spoke days ago and she was kind, powerful, passionate, determined and decent as ever.
“Rest in peace Sinead, you were ahead of your time and deserve whatever peace comes your way.”
Singer Imelda May said she “can’t find the words yet” after Sinead’s death.
She posted: “The legend Sinead O’Connor is gone. My dear friend, my mate, my sister Can’t find the words yet. Tá mo chroí briste.”
NATION MOURNS
Shane MacGowan, who shared the stage many times with Sinead, and his wife Victoria Mary Clarke paid heartbreaking tribute, saying: “We don’t really have words for this but we want to thank you Sinead for your love and your friendship and your compassion and your humour and your incredible music.”
Mary Black told RTE’s Morning Ireland: “She was fragile and fearful, but fearless as well, in that when she felt something was wrong or when she felt she needed to speak, she would speak.”
Gladiator actor Russell Crowe said he was glad he got the chance to tell Sinead she was a “hero of mine” when they met in Dublin last year.
Musician and author BP Fallon held back tears as he said: “I think she’s a true star. It’s a word you use easily but she was and with all her wounds she gave blessings.
“That’s why people all over Ireland and all over the world are incredibly upset at the moment. It’s very sad.”
Fallon also revealed that Sinead had a new album produced by David Holmes “waiting to come out”.
He said: “I’ve heard all of it and it’s fantastic. Really fantastic. A brilliant record.”
Sinead is survived by three children – Jake, Roisin and Yeshua.
ICON’S PAIN
In January 2022, she announced that her 17 year-old son Shane had died.
The musician, who vowed never to perform again after his death, told how she kept an empty place at the dinner table for her boy in the wake of his passing.
She said last year: “We have a permanent place set at the dinner table for him with a candle and incense. He is very present. He is love.”
And Sinead gave a heartbreaking response about losing her son Shane in one of her last messages to fans.
In a recent touching post she told how her son was the “the love of my life” and that the pair “were one soul in two halves”.
The emotive statement, shared on her Twitter account on July 17, was in response to a question posed by someone on social media.
Replying to a post which stated, ‘Tell me how your life is going in emojis’, the singer said opened up about the pain she felt from losing her son.
The music icon started her message with ten crying emojis.
This was then followed up with #lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022.
The singer then 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.”