At 3:54 pm BST today, two ambulances were called to singer Amy Winehouse’s home in Camden, London.Shortly afterwards, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the death of the 5-time Grammy winner. There is currently an open investigation to determine the cause of death, which is described by police as unexplained. After her death was announced, media and camera crews appeared as crowds gathered near Winehouse’s residence to pay their respect. An autopsy on the 27-year-old body will be performed tomorrow.
Update: Video from her final concert
This celebrity death was somewhat predictable, as Amy Winehouse was known to have severe mental health issues; in addition to heavy drinking and drug problems.
Winehouse’s battles with substance abuse were the subject of much media attention. In various interviews, she admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders. In 2005, she went through a period of drinking, heavy drug use, violent mood swings and weight loss.
People who saw her during the end of that year and early 2006 reported a rebound that coincided with the writing of Back to Black. In August 2007, Amy Winehouse cancelled a number of shows in the UK and Europe, citing exhaustion and ill health. She was hospitalized during this period for what was reported as an overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol Winehouse told a magazine that the drugs were to blame for her hospitalization and that “I really thought that it was over for me then.”
2008-2011 brought many similar problems.
And this post from earlier this month on Grunge Now, seems especially eerie in its foreshadowing.
Amy Winehouse is boozing herself to death…says a source who expressed worry over the singer’s alcoholism. Amy Winehouse was said to have blacked out three times this week–worse, her boyfriend, director Reg Traviss her only support, doesn’t want her anywhere near him when she’s drunk.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter