Sinead O’Connor: Official Causes Revealed One Year After Death
The exact cause of death of Sinéad O’Connor has been revealed by a UK coroner, a year after the Irish singer-songwriter unexpectedly died at the age of 56.
The Irish Independent reports that the Grammy winner died in July 2023 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
Citing his death certificate, the agency noted that his death was caused by an “exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma along with a low-grade respiratory tract infection.”
The “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer was 56 when she was found “unconscious” in a London home on July 26, 2023. A coroner’s office employee later confirmed that O’Connor had died of natural causes.
At the dramatic moment, the singer’s family announced her death in a short statement, writing: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are shocked and have asked for privacy at this very difficult time.”
O’Connor has previously spoken openly about her mental health issues, often addressing them candidly on social media. In 2022, after her 17-year-old son Shane died by suicide, the singer went through a crisis. She posted a series of tweets, writing, “There’s no point in living without him. Everything I touch, I ruin. I’m only left for him. And now he’s gone.” She later sought help at a hospital.
O’Connor left behind three other children: Jake, born from her marriage to record producer John Reynolds from whom she divorced in 1991, Roisin, fruit of the union with ex-partner John Waters and Francis Neil, born in 2006 from her relationship with Frank Bonadio.
Since the legendary singer’s death, an outpouring of tributes has honored her life and her impact on the music industry. Last week, on the anniversary of her passing, the National Wax Museum in Dublin unveiled a wax figure of O’Connor. A day after its debut, following a wave of protests from fans and her brother, the museum announced that the figure would be removed and recreated.
“We recognize that the current representation does not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad’s devoted fans,” the museum said in a statement. “We have listened carefully to the reactions and agree that the figure does not fully capture Sinéad’s unique presence and essence as we intended.”
The statement said the museum was “committed to creating a new wax figure that better reflects the true spirit and iconic image of Sinéad O’Connor.”
