Sinéad O'Connor's Death Not Being Treated As Suspicious, Says Scotland Yard As Tributes Pour In

The British Metropolitan Police said on Thursday that Sinéad O’Connor’s sudden death, which shocked the world and sent Ireland into mourning, is not being treated as suspicious.

Police officers found O’Connor, 56, unresponsive in her London apartment on Wednesday just weeks after she had moved to the city, various outlets reported.

In a statement on Thursday, the Metropolitan police said officers were called at 11.18 am on Wednesday to reports of an “unresponsive woman” in her south London home. O'Connor was "pronounced dead at the scene.”

Sinn Fein Responds

Vice president of Sinn Fein Michelle O'Neill delivered a tribute at Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly. "Ireland has lost one of its greats, such a hugely talented female artist, a real trailblazer," reported the BBC. "She was an Irish woman in the music industry who led the way and her loss will be felt greatly by many."

Sinn Fein, a democratic socialist political party once connected to the IRA, is the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly. 

When news of O’Connor’s death broke on Wednesday, her family issued a statement saying they were “devastated.” Figures from the world of music and beyond have expressed their shock and sadness as well.

Irish President

Michael Higgins said in a statement to CNN: “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,” stated the Irish president. “May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.” 

Melissa Etheridge

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, on her Twitter page, called O’Connor’s death a tragedy. 

“What a loss. She was haunted all her life. What a talent,” Etheridge said. “I remember my first Grammy show meeting this small shy Irish girl.” 

Irish actress Caitríona Mary Balfe, best known for her starring role as Claire Fraser in the Starz historical drama Outlander, wrote on Instagram: “I hope you are at peace and with your baby boy. Thank you for sharing your soul with us and soothing us with your incredible voice beautiful Sinéad.” 

Son's Suicide

O’Connor’s baby boy was 17-year-old Shane, who committed suicide in 2022.

In her last tweet, reported Belfast Live, O'Connor posted a photo of Shane and wrote:

"We are one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally, I am lost without him."

Photo: Sinead O'Connor's Twitter of book cover