Sinead O’Connor’s cause of death revealed one year after her passing
The musician was found unresponsive at her home on July 26 2023, and an official cause of death has now been made public
Sinead O’Connor’s official cause of death has been revealed just over a year after her death.
O’Connor was found ‘unresponsive’ at her London home on July 26, 2023 and at the time, a report said that ‘no medical cause of death was given’.
O’Connor was widely known and regarded for her music and activism.
In one particularly famous incident in 1992, she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II. on Saturday Night Live.
The act got her barred from performing on NBC, but O’Connor was resolute in her decision and didn’t express any regret over the act, calling it ‘brilliant’ afterwards.
In a statement at the time of her passing, her family wrote: “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.”
O’Connor’s official cause of death has now been confirmed in a statement from London Inner South Coroner’s Court.
Sinead O’Connor was found unresponsive on July 26 2023. (David Corio/Redferns)
The statement says that O’Connor died of ‘exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low grade lower respiratory tract infection.’
O’Connor had an uneasy relationship with the culture of fame and celebrity, including her own renown.
At the age of 24, she wrote a letter to the Recording Academy in which she attacked its focus on ‘material gain’.
She wrote: “As artists I believe our function is to express the feelings of the human race — to always speak the truth and never keep it hidden even though we are operating in a world which does not like the sound of the truth.”
Her death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes to her indomitable spirit.
O’Connor at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles in February 2020. (Lindsey Best for the Washington Post via Getty)
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wrote: “Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinéad O’Connor.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music.”
He concluded with a phrase in Irish, saying “Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam”, which means ‘may she rest in peace’.
Taking to Twitter for the final time, O’Connor wrote: “Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.”
She added: “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.”
In her later life, O’Connor converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada, though she would also still go by her stage name.
O’Connor is survived by her three children.
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Chin/Getty Images/Darlene Hammond/Courtesy of Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, News, World News, Health, Music, Mental Health, Ireland, UK News
