Finally, one year later, the cause of death of Grammy Award-winning singer Sinead O’Connor is now public knowledge. The cause of her death was revealed after journalists gained access to her death certificate.
Fans of the songstress have been eager to know if there was any foul play involved in her unfortunate and unexpected demise. Now, we know the truth.
What Happened to Sinead O’Connor
On July 26, 2023, news of the passing of British music sensation Sinead O’Connor sent shock waves across the entertainment world. According to reports, the singer was found unresponsive at a location in Herne Hill, London.
The singer, who died at age 56, was known for her outspoken views and soul-stirring music. Her family was thrown into deep mourning and, in a statement, requested “privacy at this difficult time.”
How Did Sinead O’Connor Die?
For many months after she passed on, fans and well-wishers remained in the dark concerning the cause of her death. Speculations spread about possible foul play, but nothing was confirmed.
The only statement the public could hold on to was from London’s Metropolitan Police, who were looking into the incident. In their statement, they disclosed that “The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Sinead O’Connor Cause of Death
About one year later, on Wednesday, July 24, the late singer’s former husband, John Reynolds, registered her death. The resulting death certificate stated pulmonary disease and asthma as the cause of her demise.
According to the death certificate, the multiple award-winning singer died from “exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low grade lower respiratory tract infection.”
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A Big Blow to the Music Industry
Given her immense contribution to the entertainment industry, it was no surprise that Sinead O’Connor’s death was such a big deal. On March 20, the entertainment community organized a tribute concert for her and Shane McGowan, who had also recently died.
The list of performers at the concert, which was held at Carnegie Hall in New York, was star-studded. It included industry greats such as Glen Hansard, Cat Power, David Gray, and Dropkick Murphys.
Sinead O’Connor Died of “Natural Causes”
Earlier in January, the London Inner South Coroner’s Court had given anxious fans further information about the death. In the statement from the court, they disclosed that Sinead O’Connor died of “natural causes.”
The statement also announced that the court had ended its involvement in her death. This statement, however, failed to put speculations of foul play to bed as the statement lacked the specificity that many had hoped for.
“Natural Causes” Explained
Contrary to the popular interpretation, the term “natural causes” doesn’t refer to only death from “old age.” Perhaps this was the source of the confusion that followed the court’s statement.
Instead, “natural causes” implies that death was a result of illness within the body as against external causes such as slips and falls, suicide, drowning, a blow to the head, or a car crash.
An Expert Offers More Insight
A number of physicians provided more explanation to help fans better understand the implications of “natural causes.” One such physician is Dr. Kathryn Pinneri, the president of the National Association of Medical Examiners in the UK.
According to Dr. Pinneri, who is a renowned pathologist, examples of death by natural causes are those resulting from cancer, diabetes, or stroke.
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“Cause” or “Manner” of Death
In a television interview, Dr. David Fowler, another notable pathologist, threw more light on the concept of “natural causes.” He stated that the term “natural causes” referred to the manner of death rather than its cause.
He stated that, in actuality, the cause of death points to the sickness or disease that led to the death. On the other hand, the manner of death explains how the sickness caused the death: natural, homicide, suicide, or accident.
Sinead O’Connor Lost Her Son One Year Before She Died
One of Sinead O’Connor’s four children died in January 2022. This was eighteen months before the singer passed on. Her late son, Shane, who was seventeen, committed suicide after sneaking out of a hospital.
Speaking about her son’s death, Sinead O’Connor, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, described him as the love of her life and the lamp of her soul.
Sinead O’Connor Was Courageous and Outspoken
Aside from her music, Sinead O’Connor gained popularity for her frank remarks concerning societal issues. She spoke about sex, religion, war, and feminism.
One of her unforgettable moments was when she tore up a photo of then Pope John Paul II while she said, “Fight the real enemy.” She did this during her appearance on the Saturday Night Live television show.
Her Legacy Will Live On
As an indication of her level of impact on society, her death drew lots of tributes from powerful personalities. The Irish President was one of such. He acknowledged her commitment to bringing important issues to public attention no matter how uncomfortable they may have been.
He also hailed the singer’s “extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice” and prayed that “her spirit [would] find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”
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