Sinéad O’Connor’s cause of death has been revealed.
The Irish singer died by natural causes at the age of 56, said a statement from the London Inner South Coroner’s Court on Tuesday.
The court added that they have now ceased their involvement in O’Connor’s 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 previously said in a statement in July.
O’Connor was found “unresponsive” at a home in London. The following day, a statement shared on the Coroner Court’s website noted that “the death of Sinéad O’Connor in Lambeth was notified to the Coroner” and “no medical cause of death was given.”
According to the note, “the Coroner therefore directed an autopsy to be conducted. The results of this may not [be available] for several weeks.”
“The decision whether an inquest will be needed will be decided when these results are known and submissions have been heard from the family,” the organization’s statement concluded.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson previously told PEOPLE that her death was “not being treated as suspicious.”
O’Connor’s career launched with the release of her debut alum, The Lion and the Cobra, in 1987. In 1990, she became a household name with the release of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which sold millions of copies worldwide. Her rendition of Prince‘s hit song earned her nominations for record of the year, best female pop vocal performance and the Grammy Award for best music video, short form at the 1990 Grammys.
Prior to her death, O’Connor released 10 albums, most recently 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss.
O’Connor was born in Dublin on Dec. 8, 1966, and was the third of five children born to John, an engineer and lawyer, and his wife Johanna. Following a rocky upbringing, the singer struggled with mental health issues throughout her life.
At age 13, O’Connor ran away to live with her father, but was sent to a Magdalene asylum two years later for “unruly” women for 18 months after she was caught shoplifting. In 1985, she moved to London after her mother died in a car accident.
In 2003, she went on to reveal she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as complex post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. Years later in 2015, she underwent a radical hysterectomy to treat endometriosis.
“You can never predict what might trigger the [PTSD]. I describe myself as a rescue dog: I’m fine until you put me in a situation that even slightly smells like any of the trauma I went through, then I flip my lid,” she told PEOPLE in 2021. “I manage very well because I’ve been taught brilliant skills. There was a lot of therapy. It’s about focusing on the things that bring you peace as opposed to what makes you feel unstable.”
In the spotlight, O’Connor famously ripped a photo of Pope John Paul II on camera during a performance on Saturday Night Live in 1992. In 2022, she reflected on the backlash that she received from the incident during the documentary Nothing Compares.
“I had come across an article about families who had been trying to lodge complaints against the church for sexual abuse and were being silenced,” she said. “Basically everything I had been raised to believe was a lie.”
In her 2021 book Rememberings, she added: “A lot of people say or think that tearing up the pope’s photo derailed my career. That’s not how I feel about it. I feel that having a number-one record derailed my career and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track.”
That same year, O’Connor announced her retirement via Twitter. “This is to announce my retirement from touring and from working in the record business. I’ve gotten older and I’m tired,” she wrote that June. “So it’s time for me to hang up my nipple tassels, having truly given my all. NVDA in 2022 will be my last release. And there’ll be no more touring or promo.”
“It’s not sad news. It’s staggeringly beautiful news. A wise warrior knows when he or she should retreat: #MeTime ❤️,” she continued. “It’s been a forty year journey. Time to put the feet up and make other dreams come true ; )”
O’Connor is survived by her three children. Her son, Shane, died by suicide last year at age 17.
“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 at the time. “May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
O’Connor, who shared Shane with musician Dónal Lunny, was hospitalized following suicidal tweets days after her son’s death.
“There is no point living without him,” she wrote. “Everything I touch, I ruin. I only stayed for him. And now he’s gone. I’ve destroyed my family. My kids don’t want to know me.”
In a follow-up tweet, she apologized for her post. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I am with cops now on way to hospital,” she wrote. “I’m sorry I upset everyone. I am lost without my kid and I hate myself. Hospital will help a while. But I’m going to find Shane. This is just a delay.”
Days before her death, the “This Is the Day” singer revealed she was working on new music. “Hi All, recently moved back to London after 23 years absence. Very happy to be home : ) Soon finishing my album. Release early next year : )” she wrote via Facebook on July 11. “Hopefully Touring Australia and New Zealand toward end 2024. Europe, USA and other territories beginning early 2025 : ) #TheBitchIsBack.”
[via]
