Sinead O’Connor’s cause of death has been revealed, as well as the contents of her will, in which she asked her children to ‘milk’ her music to boost sales
Sinead O’Connor’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The legendary musician died aged 56 in on July 26, 2023. The Nothing Compares 2 U musician was found “unresponsive” at her home in London. Her cause of death was ruled as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Sinead’s death certificate stated her death was “exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low grade lower respiratory tract infection.”
Her death was registered by her former husband John Reynolds in Lambeth, London. Now, almost two years after her death, the contents of Sinead’s will have been revealed. She had asked her children to “milk” her music to generate sales, as well asking them to bury her in priests clothes, with a copy of the Hebrew bible as well as her album, Theology.
Sinead left the sum of £1.7million to her children, Jake Reynolds, Brigidine Roisin Waters and Yeshua Bonadio. Irish probate records stated that the estate was reduced to £1.4million after covering Sinead’s debts, funeral costs and legal fees. Her will signed in 2013 before she converted to Islam stated: “My children can dispense my ashes as they see fit.”
The documents, obtained by The Sun went on to read: “I direct that after my death, and at the discretion of any of my children who are then over 18, my albums are to be released so as to ‘milk it for what it’s worth.'” Heartbreakingly, Sinead planned for her son Shane to inherit her religious items.
Shane tragically died aged 17 in January 2022 after taking his own life. In a desperate last social media post, Sinéad paid a heartbreaking tribute to her second youngest son, Shane who died after he left a hospital while on suicide watch. It read: “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.”
Her daughter, Yeshua, was given Sinead’s collection of guitars. Elsewhere, her former husband, John, who she divorced in 1991 was named as the executor of her will. Currently, details of Sinead’s British estate are yet to be disclosed. When announcing her death, a statement read: “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.” Southwark Coroners Court said in early January 2024: “This is to confirm that Ms O’Connor died of natural causes. The coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death. If an inquest is to be opened, the date of the brief public hearing will be provided on our website.”
Prior to her death, Sinead had updated fans on her life and revealed that she was planning to make more music. Her management team later confirmed that she had been in the final stages of 11th studio album, her first in nine years. She had also been looking into booking a tour for 2024, as well as exploring opportunities to turn her 2021 memoir, Rememberings, into a movie.
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