Police issue update after Sinéad O’Connor found dead at just 56

Police have released a statement after the family of Sinéad O’Connor confirmed her death yesterday.

O’Connor was found ‘unresponsive’ at a ‘residential address’ in the Lambeth area of London police said, as tributes have poured in to honour the legendary Irish singer.

The statement reads: “Police were called at 11:18 hrs on Wednesday, July 26th 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.”

O’Connor’s family issued a statement yesterday, Wednesday July 26th, confirming her death.

“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,” her family said.

The acclaimed singer released 10 studio albums over the course of her career. Her cover of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2U’, became a worldwide hit in 1990 and is considered one of the greatest tracks of all time.

In 1992 on Saturday Night Live O’Connor sang an a cappella rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘War’ — bringing attention to child abuse, in particular within the Catholic Church.

The protest singer then tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II during the performance. Nine years later, Pope John Paul II acknowledged child abuse within the Church.

O’Connor leaves behind her three children; Jake, Roisin and Yeshua, with her son Shane having tragically died last year at the age of 17.

The singer recently tweeted a couple of posts referencing her son, who died by suicide in January 2022.

In one post she 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.”

The tweet was in response to a post which asked people to ‘tell me how your life is going in emojis’. O’Connor replied with 10 crying emojis and a picture of her son holding her in a loving embrace followed by the hashtag #lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022.

She also shared a link to the ‘Great Tibetan Compassion Mantra’ dedicating the post to ‘all mothers of suicided children’.

The star vowed never to sing again after the tragic death of her beloved teenage son as she told fans in a tweet: “Just to say, suggestions there’ll be any performances this year or next year or ever again are erroneous. There will never be anything to sing about again.” 

The cause of O’Connor’s death has not yet been confirmed, but is not being treated as suspicious.