Police have revealed that they do not consider Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor’s death to be “suspicious,” but that her official cause of death will have to be determined by an autopsy.
O’Connor, who died Wednesday at the age of 56, had been struggling with her mental health for years — a struggle that was only amplified in January of 2022 when her son Shane, then 17 years old, died by suicide after escaping suicide watch at a local hospital.
According to a report published on Thursday by Page Six, London Metropolitan Police received a call about an “emergency” around 11:18 a.m. local time — and when they arrived at the designated apartment, they found O’Connor “unresponsive.”
She was “pronounced dead at the scene,” but police reported no signs of foul play and said that her “death is not being treated as suspicious.”
O’Connor’s family released a statement shortly after the news of her passing was made public, saying, “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.”
Fans and colleagues flooded Twitter with tributes, remembering O’Connor as a “warrior poet” and a vocal powerhouse.
“I am gutted by the loss of #SineadOConnor. She was the warrior poet I expected her to be — wise and visionary, but also hilarious,” composer Bear McCreary wrote. “She and I laughed a lot. We were writing new songs together, which will now never be complete. We’ve all lost an icon. I’ve lost a friend. #RIP.”
I am gutted by the loss of #SineadOConnor .
She was the warrior poet I expected her to be — wise and visionary, but also hilarious. She and I laughed a lot. We were writing new songs together, which will now never be complete.
We’ve all lost an icon. I’ve lost a friend. #RIP
— Bear McCreary 🐻🎶 (@bearmccreary) July 26, 2023
“Sinead O’Connor was pilloried for revealing sex abuse of children by Catholic priests,” Chip Franklin wrote, referencing the time she ripped apart a photo of then-Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live.” “She was a voice for the victims. But the attacks on her were unrelenting & took a toll. She was courageous, she was strong. She was right. Now she’s gone.”
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Irish band U2 paid tribute as well, saying, “Touch these eyes with a broken smile, Touch my mouth with your furrowed brow, Lift my heart, heal my shame, Lead me into rest again .. Heroine.. Rest In Peace Sinéad.”
Touch these eyes with a broken smile, Touch my mouth with your furrowed brow, Lift my heart, heal my shame , Lead me into rest again .. Heroine.. Rest In Peace Sinéad. pic.twitter.com/QwIpa0Splu
— U2 (@U2) July 27, 2023
“Thank you for lending us your voice, Sinéad,” the official account for the Star series “Outlander” tweeted. The singer had recorded the show’s theme song for the current season.
We're delighted to debut the new opening credits sequence for Outlander season 7, featuring the voice and talent of Sinéad O'Connor, to be released Summer 2023 pic.twitter.com/mDOhAv4wVL
— Sinéad O'Connor (@SineadOConnor) February 14, 2023
Just a week before her death, O’Connor shared a photo of her late son in a since-deleted tweet, saying, “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 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free hotline for individuals in crisis or distress or for those looking to help someone else. It is available 24/7 at 988.