Sinead O'Connor's Cause Of Death Revealed One Year After Her Passing

Just over a year after her passing, the official cause of Sinéad O'Connor's death has been made public.

On July 26, 2023, O'Connor was found 'unresponsive' at her home in London. At that time, it was reported that 'no medical cause of death was given.'

O'Connor was well-known for her music and activism. One particularly memorable event occurred in 1992 when she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live.

This act led to her being banned from NBC, but O'Connor remained firm in her decision, later calling the act 'brilliant.'

Sinead O'Connor was found unresponsive on July 26 2023. (David Corio/Redferns)

Following her death, her family released a statement that said: "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 London Inner South Coroner's Court has now confirmed the official cause of her death.

According to their statement, the singer died from 'exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low grade lower respiratory tract infection.'

O'Connor had a complicated relationship with fame and the celebrity culture surrounding it.

At the age of 24, she wrote a letter to the Recording Academy criticizing its focus on 'material gain.'

She stated: "As artists I believe our function is to express the feelings of the human race — to always speak the truth and never keep it hidden even though we are operating in a world which does not like the sound of the truth."

Her passing sparked a wave of grief and tributes to her strong spirit.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar offered his condolences, saying: "Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinéad O’Connor. Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare."

"Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music."

O'Connor at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles in February 2020. (Lindsey Best for the Washington Post via Getty)

He ended with a touching phrase in Irish, "Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam," which means 'may she rest in peace.'

In her final tweet, O'Connor expressed: "Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul."

She added: "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."

In her later years, O'Connor converted to Islam and took the name Shuhada, though she continued to use her stage name as well.

She is survived by her three children.