Sinéad O’Connor had revealed plans to write new music from her new flat in London in the last video she shared before she died.
The legendary Irish singer, who shot to fame in the 90s for her cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U, sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 56.
Her cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but the Met Police have revealed she was found “unresponsive” at a residence in London before being pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement to The Sun, cops said: “Police were called at 11:18hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman at a residential address in the SE24 area.”
“Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner.”
Just over two weeks before her death, Sinéad showed fans around her new flat in London in a Twitter video posted on July 9th.
She started the video by saying: “I’ll make a video because some of you are saying you don’t believe it’s my account; it is my account. But fret not, I’m going to be a good girl.”
Hey, some folks been asking I make video to prove identity .. Now, I’ve been up all night listening to Hindu Aestheticism books on You Tube. And Madonna’s stylist told me to eat a giant dick just now when I asked if she/he/they would rush over.. so deal with it ; ) pic.twitter.com/U4YOgdYuBj
— Sinead Marie-Bernarde Aoibheann O’Connor (@786OmShahid) July 9, 2023
“I look like s**t either way, which is why I didn’t want to make a video,” the singer joked.
Referring to the tragic death of her 17-year-old son Shane, who died by suicide last year, Sinead continued: “But you know the way your kid, unfortunately, passes away, it isn’t good for one’s body or soul to be fair. But anyways, let’s not dwell on that.”
The songstress panned the camera around the living room and kitchen, and apologised for the mess, joking that her flat looked like a “s***hole”.
Sinead also displayed a stunning vase of sunflowers, which were a gift from a friend, and showed off her black Martin DX Johnny Cash guitar, which she said she was going to “write some tunes on”.
Sinead’s family confirmed her passing in a statement on Wednesday, which said: “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.”
Sinéad, who changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 after converting to Islam, released 10 studio albums during her career.
The Grammy-winning artist also hit headlines in 1992 when she famously ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II during her appearance on Saturday Night Live in the US.
She is survived by three of her children – – Jake, Roisin and Yeshua.
Her death comes over a year after her 17-year-old son Shane took his own life in January 2022, after he left a hospital in Dublin – where he had been admitted for care.
At the time, she wrote on social media: “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.”
“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
In one of her last tweets, which was posted on July 17, 2023, Sinead posted a photo of herself and Shane and wrote: “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.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#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 pic.twitter.com/aC8BOmLQ9N— Sinead Marie-Bernarde Aoibheann O’Connor (@786OmShahid) July 17, 2023
Following her son’s passing last January, the singer cancelled her scheduled gigs for the rest of the year.
A statement released by her management at the time said: “We would like to respectfully announce that due to continuing grief over the tragic loss of her beloved son Shane earlier this year, Sinead O’Connor will not be performing live in 2022.”
The singer’s management added that it was not “an easy decision”, but it was necessary for her “own health and wellbeing”.
The statement continued to thank Sinéad’s worldwide agency ICM, who handled the situation “with the utmost respect and dignity,” and thanked “local and international promoters” for the continued “support and understanding.”
Her management team concluded, “Thank you also to Sinead’s friends and fans whose support and understanding we hold in the highest esteem throughout this period.”
“The love being shown has been a source of great comfort and peace for Sinead.”
Her last public appearance took place back in March, when she was presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards.
Sinéad O’Connor last March.
Via RTE Choice Music. pic.twitter.com/MiYnJqBjIX— Martine St-Victor (@MartineMontreal) July 26, 2023
Sinead received a standing ovation at the event, as she dedicated the award to “each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community”.
“You’re very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness,” she said.
In 2021, the songstress released a memoir called Rememberings.
The following year, a docu-film called Nothing Compares, directed by Kathryn Ferguson, was released about her life.
