A year after the untimely death of renowned Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, the cause of her demise has been officially disclosed. The 56-year-old artist, who was found unresponsive in her London residence, succumbed to a combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, as reported by the Irish Independent. At the time of her death, O’Connor was also grappling with a respiratory tract infection.
The cause of death was officially registered in Lambeth, London by O’Connor’s husband, John Reynolds. The death certificate of the acclaimed singer, best known for her hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” indicates that she died due to an “exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low grade lower respiratory tract infection.”
On July 26, 2023, the London Metropolitan Police were called to O’Connor’s apartment in Southeast London following reports of an unresponsive woman. Once it was confirmed that the deceased was O’Connor, the police promptly issued a statement indicating that her death was not being treated as suspicious.
O’Connor’s death came as a shock to her fans and the music industry. She left behind three children, Jake, Roisin, and Yeshua. Her son Shane tragically took his own life in 2022 at the age of 17. In her final post on X, the Dublin-born singer-songwriter referred to Shane as “the only person who ever loved me unconditionally.”
O’Connor was a figure of controversy throughout her career, as well-known for her distinctive vocals and close-cropped haircut as she was for her outspoken political views. She sparked controversy during a 1992 “Saturday Night Live” appearance when she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on live television, leading to widespread criticism and boycotts.