The London coroner office has disclosed the cause of death for Sinéad O’Connor, the Irish musician who passed away at the age of 56.
In a concise statement released on Tuesday, London’s Southwark Coroner’s Court stated that O’Connor’s death was attributed to natural causes.
This implies that her passing resulted from an internal condition and not from self-inflicted harm or external factors. The coroner announced that with this determination, their involvement in the case concludes, and they will refrain from providing any further comments on the matter.
Born in Dublin, Sinéad O’Connor rose to fame with her debut album “The Lion and the Cobra” in 1987, making a distinctive impression with her now-iconic buzzcut. However, it was her 1990 release, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” that catapulted her to international stardom, featuring her rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which became a global sensation.
Over the span of her career from 1987 to 2014, O’Connor produced 10 studio albums. Beyond her musical achievements, she gained recognition for her outspokenness on social causes and global issues. Her impact extended beyond the realm of music, establishing her as a prominent figure known for her activism and advocacy work. The London coroner
Sinéad O’Connor’s shaved head became an act of defiance against record executives pressuring her to conform to more “feminine” industry standards. Her bold actions continued as she refused to perform in 1990 if the U.S. national anthem was played before her concerts and later declined her Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance in 1991, criticizing the American music industry for prioritizing materialistic success over artistic value.
In 1992, O’Connor sparked controversy by tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a “Saturday Night Live” performance to protest sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, urging viewers to “fight the real enemy.” Despite the backlash, she reflected in her 2021 memoir, “Rememberings,” that the act “re-railed” her career as a “protest singer.”
Throughout her career, O’Connor candidly shared her mental health struggles, especially following the tragic suicide of her 17-year-old son Shane 18 months before her death. Concerning posts on Twitter led to her hospital admission.
After her passing, tributes flooded social media, and a tribute concert for O’Connor and The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan, who also passed away in 2023, was announced. The concert is scheduled to take place at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on March 20.