Sinéad O’Connor Dead: Cause of Death Released

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56, the Irish Times reported on July 26. No cause of death was made public at the time of publishing.

However, her cause of death was released on July 27, 2024, just over one year following her death.

The cause of death for singer Sinead O’Connor was the result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, according to the Irish Independent.

“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,” the singer’s family said in a statement to the Irish Times, which first broke news of her death on July 26, 2023. The Irish Times did not reveal any details of the circumstances of O’Connor’s death, including the cause.

According to Daily Mail, O’Connor was found unresponsive at her home, but authorities are not even certain when she died and are still investigating the cause.

O’Connor had struggled with mental health issues for years, and her teenage son, Shane, died by suicide last year, according to Rolling Stone. Her most recent tweets, which you can read later in this article, focused on her heartbreak over Shane’s death.

From Dublin, Ireland, O’Connor “released 10 studio albums, while her song Nothing Compares 2 U was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards,” The Irish Times reported.

Here’s what you need to know:

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Sinead O’Connor Described Herself as Living as an ‘Undead Night Creature’ Since the Death of Her 17-Year-Old Son

According to Rolling Stone, O’Connor’s son Shane died by suicide at age 17 on January 8, 2022, just a day after being released from suicide watch in an Irish hospital.

One of her last tweets, posted on July 17, includes a picture of him and the caption, “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.”

She was replying to a tweet with a graphic that read, “Tell me how your life is going with emojis.”

On July 17, she also tweeted, “For all mothers of Suicided children. Great Tibetan Compassion Mantra,” as well as a song by Al Green, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” According to the Daily Mail, she leaves behind three other children.

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Sinead O’Connor Grew Up in Dublin in a Dysfunctional Family

According to the Irish Examiner, which also confirmed O’Connor’s death but did not reveal a cause, she had a troubled childhood.

“O’Connor grew up in Glenageary, County Dublin, the third of five children born to Marie and John,” the site reported. “The family were middle-class, fairly well-off, practising Catholics and dysfunctional.”

The Irish Examiner described how O’Connor wrote in a book “about childhood abuse, kleptomania, reform school, pop stardom, pope-baiting, heresy, apostasy, breakups, breakdowns, kids, marriages and celebrity shags that have shaped her life.”

According to Page Six, in June 2022, she canceled all of her live shows several months after her son’s death.

It was a decision she “had to make for her own health and wellbeing,” according to a statement from her management team, Page Six reported.

“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,” her management said in a statement obtained by Page Six.

“Thank you 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,” it read.

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People Wrote Tributes to Sinead O’Connor

“RIP Sinead O’Connor,” an entertainment publicist tweeted. “She took a Prince song and made it her own and turned it into one the biggest hits of a new decade. Took on the church when people were too afraid and knew it could (and would) destroy her career.”

A site devoted to the poetry of Irish poet Seamus Heaney tweeted, “A great Irish poet and singer left us today. She was beautiful, courageous and wore her heart on her sleeve. She was before her time. Nothing will ever compare to Sinéad O’Connor. Rest easy Sinéad.”

“Rest in peace to sinead o’connor, one of the most beautiful musical voices to come out of our country and an even more incredible voice as an advocate for change. she will forever be missed #sineadoconnor,” a fan wrote.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach the toll-free Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (dial 888-628-9454 for assistance in Spanish). You can also speak with a trained crisis counselor anytime by texting HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

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