Content warning: this article contains references to suicide.
Disney star CoCo Lee has died aged 48.
The singer, most famous for her Oscar-nominated hit 'A Love Before Time' from the 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, died Wednesday (5 July).
Lee, who was also known for voicing the lead character in the Mandarin version of Disney’s Mulan, fell into a coma following a suicide attempt, her family have said.
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The star's sisters, Carol and Nancy, announced the heartbreaking news in an Instagram post uploaded yesterday.
Accompanied by a compilation of photos spanning CoCo's life, the pair revealed to fans how their sister had been struggling with depression for several years.
The post begins: "With great sadness, we are here break the most devastating news: CoCo had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months.
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"Although CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her."
The statement continued to say that over the weekend (2 July), CoCo had attempted to take her own life and was subsequently hospitalised.
While a hospital team gave their 'best efforts' to 'rescue and treat' CoCo from her coma, she passed away three days later on 5 July.
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CoCo's sisters went on to offer a heartfelt tribute to the singer who, just this year had celebrated 30 years in the music industry after releasing her debut album back in 1994, and having won 'countless international acclaims with top selling songs'.
The post continued: "CoCo is also known to have worked tirelessly to open up a new world for Chinese singers in the international music scene, and she went all out to shine for the Chinese. We are proud of her!
"As a family of CoCo, we are very grateful and honoured to have such an excellent and outstanding sister.
"We are thankful to God for giving us such a kind angel. We know now she has gone to a happier place and no longer suffers from depression; we trust God has her best interest looked after!"
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The sisters then explained their 'greatest responsibility' following the tragic news is now 'take good care' of their elderly mother.
"I hope everyone will pray for this poor old lady & allow us time & privacy in healing," they wrote.
They also thanked the medical staff again for their 'dedication to care throughout the whole process'.
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"At the same time, we hope that everyone will not only miss CoCo, but also share her bright smile, treat people with sincerity, and convey kindness and love to everyone around us, and continue CoCo’s wish to let everyone around feel her love and happiness," the post concluded.
"Although CoCo stays in the world for not long a time, her rays of light will last forever!"
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
For US readers, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
Rhiannon Ingle