LONDON, UK. (THECOUNT) — Melanie Panayiotou, the sister of the late George Michael, was found dead on Christmas Day. Her death comes exactly three years after the British crooner died, the family’s lawyer has confirmed.
London’s Metropolitan Police say, emergency services were summoned to a residence in north London on Wednesday evening on reports of the “sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s.”
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“We can confirm that very tragically Melanie has passed away suddenly,” the family’s lawyer, John Reid, said in a statement on Friday.”We would simply ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this very sad time.”
“The death is not being treated as suspicious by police,” the statement said, adding that the coroner will compile a report into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Panayiotou’s death came three years after Michael, 53, died suddenly in 2016 on Christmas Day. He left behind a catalogue of hits, including “Careless Whisper” and “Faith,” and the Wham! tracks”Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Last Christmas,” reports CTV.
An inquest attributed Michael’s death to “natural causes.”
Just 48 hours before her death, Panayiotou had issued a joint statement on Michael’s website.
“We will be swerving the bad and enjoying the good as much as we can this coming year,” the statement said, while also touching on the “power” of Michael’s songs.
“We know how much his lyrics can offer support when things are tough and help celebrate when times are good and life is going well… and that is just as powerful now as if he were still with us and as many of you say in your messages, it’s a gift,” it said.
“It seems important that his generosity of spirit and natural empathy have touched you in a way that would have him embarrassed, all your kind words are really good to hear and we know you have always known his true heart.”
A cause of death was not provided by UK officials as of Friday.
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Geo quick facts: London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city – wikipedia.