Just two weeks before her death, Sinéad O'Connor warned that she was being harassed by a "violent stalker."
It was reported that the 56-year-old Irish icon passed away in her home in London last Wednesday (July 26).
As per a heartbreaking statement released by RTE on behalf of the star's family, they said they were "devastated" upon finding out the news.
"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," it read.
Following the statement, the police issued a statement on Thursday (July 27), which gave further details on the matter.
"Police were called at 11:18 hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman at a residential address in the SE24 area," they said. "Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner."
O'Connor's management also released a statement for the star, revealing that she was planning on releasing new content before her untimely death.
"As tribute to those who were part of Sinead's team over our tenure it has to be mentioned that Sinead was completing her new album, reviewing new tour dates for 2024, and considering opportunities in relation to a movie of her book," they wrote, as per Sky News.
"Wonderful plans were afoot at this time. Testament and tribute to those who have put their hearts first for Sinead, to whom we are forever grateful," they continued.
The message, signed by Kenneth and Carl Papenfus, concluded: "It has been an honor to have worked with Sinead professionally, as musicians, producers, and her artist managers over the last nine years, but much, much more than that Sinead was family. May she rest in peace."
While fans wait on the results of an investigation into the star's official cause of death, others are pondering over a series of tweets penned by O'Connor after a concerning "stalker" incident.
Taking to Twitter, the 'Nothing Compares 2 U' singer wrote about her fears of a woman who seemed to be causing her some stress.
"There is one stalker. Female. Violent: again, NEVER engage with anyone claiming they know me without asking my management," she wrote.
Then just a few days later, she took to the social media platform again to warn fans of a man who was also behaving inappropriately with fans while posing as her.
"Also a warning, previously an extremely disturbed male sexual predator pretended to be me on Twitter," she wrote in a tweet. "Please never engage with anyone claiming to be any celeb, without confirming they are who they say. This can be achieved by contact with their management."
Elaborating further on the issue, a friend of the 56-year-old told The Sun that the incidents were playing on the Grammy-award-winning star's mind.
"Sinead felt very uncomfortable. She had started a new life in London but this person was making her feel on edge," they told the outlet. "Sinead confided in people and said she’d had gifts she believed to be from this person.
"It was upsetting," they added.
The final tweet O'Connor published before her death was a tribute post to her late son, Shane.
"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," she wrote alongside a heartwarming photo of the pair. "He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him."
O'Connor is survived by her other three children, Jake, Roisin, and Yeshua.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family during this difficult time.
