Sinead O’Connor described living in anguish since son’s 2022 suicide

Before her death was announced Wednesday Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor opened up on social media about living as “an undead night creature” since her 17-year-old son’s suicide last year.

In what appears to be among her last Twitter posts, the phenomenally gifted but troubled musician hailed her son, Shane, as “the love of (my) life” and “the only person who ever loved me unconditionally,” the Daily Mail reported, citing posts that appear to have since been deleted. In this post, which was a reply to a fan, O’Connor also said she felt “lost” without him and emphasized her pain with a series of crying emojis.

O’Connor also shared four posts that linked to songs that she said she had been listening to, the Daily Mail said. They included “Chenrezi,” a Tibetan compassion mantra by Ani Choying Drolma and Steve Tibbetts, which the singer dedicated to other grieving mothers who had lost children to suicide.

The death of O’Connor was announced in a family statement, the Associated Press and Los Angeles Times reported. She was 56.

“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 statement said.

No details surrounding her death have been released, the Daily Mail reported.

O’Connor first shot to fame in 1990 when she was in her mid-20s, with her soaring, Prince-written ballad “Nothing Compares 2 U.” After her initial success, O’Connor became known for her shaved head framing her elfin features, as well her provocative actions. The Los Angeles Times said she cemented her place in pop culture in 1992 when she shred a picture of the pope on “Saturday Night Live” while singing a “haunting” rendition of Bob Marley’s “War.”

Eventually, O’Connor’s turbulent personal life and mental health struggles began to eclipse her musicianship. At one point, O’Connor said she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the Associated Press reported.

O’Connor was married four times and had four children, the Los Angeles Times said. In the late 1990s, she  became embroiled in a three-year legal battle with ex-boyfriend John Waters over custody of their daughter. In ended when O’Connor took an overdose of Valium in an apparent suicide attempt and then agreed to let the 3-year-old girl,  Roisin, with her father.

Over the years, O’Connor also announced that she had attempted suicide or was struggling with suicidal thoughts, most recently in 2017. Fans rushed to her aid in a New Jersey motel from where she posted a Facebook video in which she said she was suicidal and struggling to stay alive day by day. In the video, the singer said her struggles with mental illness had left her without friends or family and living in a motel room “in the arse end of New Jersey.”

O’Connor announced her conversion to Islam in 2018, then canceled several 2021 shows in 2020 upon revealing that she was entering a one-year treatment program for trauma and addiction.

Shortly after she announced a 2022 tour of the U.S. and Ireland, her teenage son Shane died by suicide, the Los Angeles Times said. Days later, O’Connor again alarmed fans when she tweeted “I’ve decided to follow my son.” She later went to a hospital and asked for help.

Earlier this month, O’Connor launched a new Twitter account, in which she wrote about her grief and the healing process, the Daily Mail reported. As much as she wrote about her sorrow over her son’s death, she also shared some updates that signaled that she was trying to move forward, personally and professionally.

On July 8, she revealed that she had moved back to London after “23 years absence” and said she was “very happy to be home,” the Daily Mail said. She also shared a video that showed her new light and airy apartment, which appeared to have a view of the Thames, TMZ reported. 

Making note of her appearance, she said in the video, “I look like (expletive) either way, which is why I didn’t want to make a video … but you know, the way your kid unfortunately passing away it isn’t good for ones body, or soul to be fair.”

O’Connor also expressed excitement about finishing a new album, releasing it in 2024 and launching a tour that would take her to Australia, New Zealand and to locations around Europe and the United States in 2025.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.