**Content warning: Contains references to suicide.**
Police have issued a statement after Sinéad O'Connor's family confirmed she died in an announcement shared on Wednesday (26 July).
"Police were called at 11:18 hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman at a residential address in the SE24 area," the statement reads.
"Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
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"Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner."
The legendary singer leaves behind three children; Jake, Roisin and Yeshua, with her son Shane having tragically died last year at the age of 17.
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"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 in a statement on Wednesday.
Over the course of her career, O'Connor released 10 studio albums. Her best known song is a cover of 'Nothing Compares 2 U', which is originally by Prince. It became the top worldwide hit of 1990 and O'Connor's version of the ballad is often considered to be one of the greatest tracks of all time.
Two of O’Connor’s final social media posts referenced her 17-year-old son who died by suicide in January 2022.
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The Grammy-winner addressed her son’s death just 10 days ago in a series of tweets, which she accompanied with a photograph of herself with Shane who had his arms wrapped around his mum.
Posted on 17 July in response to a tweet asking: "Tell me how your life is going with emojis," O'Connor shared a series of crying emojis.
The caption continues: "#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022.
"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."
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O'Connor also shared a link to the 'Great Tibetan Compassion Mantra' dedicating the post to 'all mothers of suicided children'.
The acclaimed singer also vowed to never sing again following her son's death. She told fans: “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 made public.
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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
Gregory Robinson