Sinéad O’Connor passes away at 56 a year after her 17-year-old son’s tragic death

Updated on July 27, 2023 at 11:05 AM

Nothing Compares 2 U singer Sinéad O’Connor died at the age of 56 just 18 months after her 17-year-old son committed suicide.

Sinéad O’Connor passes away at 56 a year after her 17-year-old son’s tragic death

56-year-old Sinéad O’Connor was one of the most famous Irish singers. Born December 8, 1966, in Dublin, Sinéad had a troubled childhood and dealt with many mental health problems. Her ‘devastated’ family confirmed that the singer passed away after years of battling with mental health issues.

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The mother-of-four lost her 17-year-old son, Shane in January 2022. The announcement of her death comes 18 months after Shane’s tragic death.

Sinéad O’Connor dies at the age of 56

Sinéad rose to fame in 1990 with her heartrending cover of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U. In a statement released by Sinéad's family, they expressed how devastated they were and wrote:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad.

Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.

RIP Sinead O Connor 💔 pic.twitter.com/COcjIWUETa
— Kevin Kiernan19 (@KKiernan19) July 26, 2023

Sinéad showed signs of sadness and depression in her last few tweets, reported MailOnline. The singer - who converted to Islam in 2018, posted a photo with Shane and wrote:

Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.

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

She also posted a series of Spotify links of sad and heartbreaking songs - one of which was dedicated to ‘all mothers of Suicided children.’ The cause of death remains unknown.

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Sinéad's son Shane and his tragic death

Sinéad was very close to her 17-year-old son Shane - who took his own life in January 2022. Shane escaped Tallaght Hospital in Dublin where he was under a suicide watch two days before his death. He then went missing as Sinéad and the police tried to look for him, Sinéad tweeted at that time:

This is a message for my son, Shane. Shane, it’s not funny anymore all this going missing. You are scaring the crap out of me.

Sinéad O'Connor 💔 finally reunited with Shane, her son, who died last year. RIP#SineadOConnor pic.twitter.com/hJ7gX34iSF
— Odious Oracle's Outlandish Opus (@OdiousOracle12) July 26, 2023

She also added emotional messages in the next few tweets where she urged Shane to not take his life, reported The US Sun. However, his tragic death proved otherwise. Announcing Shane’s death - who she had with Irish folk musician Donal Lunny - Sinead wrote: