Sinead O’Connor died while still grieving the death of her son Shane, who committed suicide at the age of 17 in January 2022. The internationally renowned singer, who passed away on July 26, posted heartfelt messages on social media in the days before her passing.
“Been living as undead night creature since,” she wrote via Twitter on July 17 of her third child. “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.” Sinead’s account has since been deleted, but the tweet may have been the bellwether of more tragedy to come for the family.
On Wednesday, July 26, Sinead’s family released a heartbreaking statement mourning the death of the 90s megastar. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad,” they wrote, per The Irish Times. “Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
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Tragically, Shane’s body was found on January 7, 2022, a year and a half earlier. He committed suicide when he was just 17 years old. “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God,” she wrote at the time. “May he rest in peace, and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace,” O’Connor tweeted.
In the months after Shane’s passing, Sinead, who had three additional children from three different relationships, struggled with her grief.
“I’ve decided to follow my son,” she wrote via Twitter just a week after his death. “There is no point living without him. Everything I touch, I ruin. I only stayed for him. And now he’s gone.” Per CNN, she was hospitalized, tweeting again shortly after that she was already “on way to [the] hospital. I’m sorry I upset everyone. I am lost without my kid, and I hate myself. Hospital will help a while. But I’m going to find Shane. This is just a delay.”