It’s been six months since the Southwark Coroner confirmed Shuhada’ Sadaqat aka Sinéad O’Connor tragically passed away, at age 56, from ‘natural causes’ in London on July 26, 2023.
On Saturday, the Irish Independent obtained a copy of the Grammy-winning Irish singer’s death certificate, which revealed she died from ‘exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low-grade lower respiratory tract infection.’
Sinéad’s ex-husband #1 John Reynolds formally registered her death last Wednesday in Lambeth, and it was certified by Inner South London senior coroner Julian Morris.
O’Connor – who still gets 4.8M monthly listeners on Spotify – had been found ‘unresponsive’ after police were called to her flat in Herne Hill.
The thrice-divorced mother-of-four died 18 months after her beloved 17-year-old son Shane Lunny took his own life in 2022 after escaping hospital.
It’s been six months since the Southwark Coroner confirmed Shuhada’ Sadaqat aka Sinéad O’Connor tragically passed away, at age 56, from ‘natural causes’ in London on July 26, 2023 (pictured July 8, 2023)
On Saturday, the Irish Independent obtained a copy of the Grammy-winning Irish singer’s death certificate, which revealed she died from ‘exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low-grade lower respiratory tract infection’ (pictured in 1990)
In her last Tweet, O’Connor posted a photo of Shane and said: ‘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.’
Police were called at just before 11am on July 26 to Ms O’Connor’s home in the SE24 area of London, which covers genteel Herne Hill and sits between Brixton and Dulwich.
Notable SE24 residents include actors Mark Rylance, Olivia Colman and James Nesbitt.
It came as MailOnline revealed that Ms O’Connor had just moved back to London at the start of July – calling the city her ‘home’ – and described her hope and excitement at seeing the ballet and writing new songs in the days before she died.
She also said on Facebook that she wanted to go on tour next year in a buoyant post a fortnight ago declaring: ‘The b**** is back’, with fans hoping the fragile star was beating the depression and suicidal thoughts that dogged her for so many years, especially after the death of her son Shane last year aged 17.
Tributes poured in for Ms O’Connor after her death was announced in July.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins praised O’Connor’s ‘extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice’ and said he hoped ‘her spirit [may] find the peace she sought in so many different ways’.
He said: ‘May I send my deepest condolences to Sinéad O’Connor’s father John, the members of her family and to all those with whom she shared her life.
Sinéad’s ex-husband #1 John Reynolds (R, pictured in 1994) had formerly registered her death last Wednesday in Lambeth, and it was certified by Inner South London senior coroner Julian Morris
O’Connor – who still gets 4.8M monthly listeners on Spotify – had been found ‘unresponsive’ after police were called to her flat in Herne Hill
Ms O’Connor filmed her new flat and seemed happy having just moved back to London at the start of July – the last time she was seen
In a video tour of her flat, she showed her guitar on the wall and said she was writing new songs
She said she was happy to be home in London and showed fans sunflowers from a friend
Ms O’Connor also tweeted her excitement at seeing a screening of Rudolf Nureyev performing
The block in south-east London which Ms O’Connor had recently moved into
‘My first reaction on hearing the news of Sinéad’s loss was to remember her extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice.
‘What was striking in all of the recordings she made and in all of her appearances was the authenticity of the performance, while her commitment to the delivery of the song and its meaning was total.
‘To those of us who had the privilege of knowing her, one couldn’t but always be struck by the depth of her fearless commitment to the important issues which she brought to public attention, no matter how uncomfortable those truths may have been.
‘What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her.
‘The way in which she was able to move across the different forms of the arts was a singular achievement, as was the way her voice went around the world and how it was received.
‘Her accomplishments included a body of work for film through the production of perfectly chosen and widely acclaimed lyrics.
‘Sinéad O’Connor’s voice and delivery was in so many different ways original, extraordinary and left one with a deep deep impression that to have accomplished all she did while carrying the burden which she did was a powerful achievement in its own way.
‘Her contribution joins those great contributions of Irish women who contributed to our lives, its culture and its history in their own unique but unforgettable ways.
‘May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.’
The grave of Sinead O’Connor is pictured at Deansgrange Cemetery in Bray, Co Wicklow
Thousands lined the streets of Bray, County Wicklow, in August to pay tribute to O’Connor as her coffin was moved to a private burial
Pictured: Onlookers applaud as Sinead O’Connor’s coffin passes near her former home
The thrice-divorced mother-of-four died 18 months after her beloved 17-year-old son Shane Lunny took his own life in 2022 after escaping hospital
In her last Tweet, O’Connor posted a photo of Shane and said: ‘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.’ Pictured: Sinead O’Connor on stage at the Olympic Ballroom, Dublin, in March 1988
In the years after her breakthrough she wrote other hits including You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart – for the soundtrack of Daniel Day-Lewis film In the Name of the Father – Drink Before The War and This Is The Day
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: ‘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.
‘Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam. [At the right hand of God rest her soul/Rest in peace.]’
Tanaiste Micheál Martin said he was ‘devastated’ to hear of O’Connor’s passing.
He added: ‘One of our greatest musical icons, and someone deeply loved by the people of Ireland, and beyond.
‘Our hearts goes out to her children, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her.’
The Irish Embassy in America said: ‘Deeply saddened to learn of Sinéad O’Connor’s passing. A wonderful artist whose music brought so much joy to people all around the world.’
Comedian Dara O’Briain said: ‘Ah s****, Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her.’
