Annie Walton Doyle
It’s been said that Sinéad O’Connor ‘died of a broken heart’ after her cause of death was confirmed yesterday.
In July 2023, the world received the heartbreaking news that Irish singer and musician O’Connor had passed away aged just 56.
O’Connor went by the name Shuhada’ Sadaqat after converting to Islam in 2018, and alongside her prolific musical career had dedicated her life to speaking out against abuses of power in the Catholic Church.
Her biggest hit was the 1990 ballad ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, which had a truly heartbreaking video of O’Connor crying while staring plaintively down the camera lens.
This week, after months of speculation, O’Connor’s cause of death has been disclosed.
And now, the singer’s ex says she ‘died of a broken heart’.
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Following the announcement of O’Connor’s death, the O’Connor family told RTÉ: “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.”
The news of her passing hit many fans hard, with one person writing: “Powerhouse of a singer. A beautiful person. A true icon who stood up for what she believed in and called out those who did wrong. Rest in peace, Sinéad O’ Connor.”
Another added: “Rest in peace to Sinéad O’ Connor, one of the most beautiful musical voices to come out of our country and an even more incredible voice as an advocate for change. She will forever be missed.”
Speculation about O’Connor’s cause of death was rife, particularly as the announcement came just months after the tragic passing of her 17-year-old son.
Shane O’Connor died after going missing from a hospital where he had been held on suicide watch.
In her final social media post, the musician shared an image of her late child with the heartwrenching caption: “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.”
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She also wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “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.”
This week, authorities confirmed that O’Connor died of natural causes.
A rep for London’s Southwark Coroner’s Court tells TMZ that ‘the coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death’.
However, O’Connor’s ex, Dermott Hayes (who actually wrote a book about her in 1991) has a different theory.
Hayes – who dated the singer for two years – tells The Irish Sun: “From this, you can surmise that a broken heart is a real illness symptom and a cause of death.
“It doesn’t make Sinéad’s passing any less painful. It was more to do with a broken heart than anything else.”
Neighbour Ken Doyle adds: “To hear this news is a relief that Sinéad’s passed away from natural causes.
“It’s heartbreaking that Sinéad’s died but that it happened without hassle or grief is comforting to hear because her funeral and the outpouring at the news of her death was heartbreaking.
“I would say the fans will be relieved by this news, anything to make your passage in life and exit in life easier. I think everyone will be relieved with this news.”
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