Sinéad O'Connor died from natural causes, confirms coroner in London

Over five months after Sinéad O'Connor was found unresponsive at her home in London, a coroner has confirmed that the iconic Irish singer "died of natural causes."

As reported by the BBC, the statement came from Southwark Coroner's Court today, adding that the "coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death."

At the time of her death, the London Inner South Coroner's Court posted a statement on their website, noting that the "death of Sinéad O'Connor in Lambeth was notified to the Coroner on Wednesday 26th July 2023" and "no medical cause of death was given." They went on to state that "the Coroner therefore directed an autopsy to be conducted" the result of which "may not be available for several weeks."

Sinéad is survived by her three children, Jake, Roisin and Yeshua. Her son Shane died at the age of 17 in January 2022.

Thousands of fans lined the streets of Bray back in August, to say a final goodbye to the singer ahead of her private burial.

Sinead O'Connor funeral procession in Bray. Tuesday 8th of August 2023. Copyright MIguel Ruiz

“This is desperately sad news that will have a devastating impact on Sinead’s huge number of fans all over the world,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes remarked at the time of her death. “But most of all, I am thinking now of her immediate family and friends, and the people who loved her so much – and with such depth, intensity and feeling. Their world has been shattered today, in a way that is impossible to measure or describe. Her loss is immense – and tragic.

“Sinead was a wonderful, complex and brilliant person – and a towering artist. And she was a truly extraordinary singer. Knowing her from when we first wrote about her in Hot Press at the age of just 17 has, for me, been a fantastic privilege. It is heartbreaking to hear that she will no longer be around to give us that wonderful smile – or to speak with such colourful and passionate strength about life, love, the injustices of the world – and, of course about music, which mattered more than anything else in her life.

“Honestly, it is impossible now to find words adequate to this devastating moment. But a terrible sadness is gripping everyone who knew and loved her. It is a feeling that will remain with us forever."

Just last night, a new documentary about Sinéad was broadcast on RTÉ One, featuring archive footage and interviews with the singer and those who knew and worked with her.