According to U.K. police, Sinéad O’Connor’s death is ‘not being treated as suspicious.’
The renowned Irish singer Sinead O’Connor has sadly passed away at 56 years old, per The Irish Times. The cause of her death has not been disclosed at the moment. In a statement released by O’Connor’s family, they expressed their profound sorrow and requested privacy during this challenging period.
On Thursday, a spokesperson from Scotland Yard confirmed to PEOPLE that on Wednesday night, “a 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead” at a residence in south London. The Metropolitan Police received a call at 11:18hrs on Wednesday, 26 July, reporting an unresponsive woman at a residential address in the SE24 area.
The authorities also notified the next of kin that the death is not considered suspicious. “Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner,” a spokesperson said.
Throughout her career, the Irish singer, known for her iconic hits like “Nothing Compares 2 U,” was known for her passionate advocacy of various social issues, but her legacy was also marked by struggles with mental health.
Sinead O’Connor’s Musical Odyssey and Personal Life
Sinead O’Connor broke through in 1987 with her debut album “The Lion and the Cobra,” garnering critical acclaim and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
In 1990, O’Connor captured hearts worldwide with her poignant rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” originally a Prince track. The song, along with her memorable and controversial performance on “Saturday Night Live,” propelled her to stardom and established her as a household name. During this infamous appearance, O’Connor ripped a photo of then-Pope John Paul II, passionately declaring, “Fight the real enemy!” Her act was a protest against abuse within the Catholic Church, but it also brought her years of public ridicule and scrutiny.
Throughout her life, O’Connor experienced various relationships. She married four times from 1989 to 2011. Her fourth marriage, a short-lived union with therapist Barry Herridge in Las Vegas, ended in less than a month. Despite the rowdy experience, O’Connor proudly expressed herself on her blog, embracing her identity as a “21st-century full woman.”
The musician is survived by three children, Jake Reynolds, Roisin Waters, and Yeshua Bonadio. Shane, Sinead O’Connor’s third child from her relationship with musician Dónal Lunny, went missing in January 2022. Tragically, a few days later, O’Connor disclosed that he had passed away by suicide.
“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,” she tweeted then. “May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
In the past few weeks, Sinead O’Connor seemed optimistic about the future and shared on Facebook her excitement for upcoming endeavors. She expressed her happiness after returning to London following a 23-year absence and revealed her work on a new music album, set to be released early the following year. O’Connor also mentioned her aspirations for an international tour, including plans to tour Australia and New Zealand towards the end of 2024, followed by Europe, the USA, and other territories beginning in early 2025.
Sinead O’Connor’s life and career were filled with highs and lows, and in 2022, a documentary titled “Nothing Compares” delved into the various aspects of her extraordinary journey.