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George Michael’s sister found dead on Christmas Day George Michael’s sister found dead on Christmas Day
(32 minutes later)
Death of Melanie Panayiotou not being treated as suspicious, say policeDeath of Melanie Panayiotou not being treated as suspicious, say police
George Michael’s sister Melanie Panayiotou was found dead in her home on Christmas Day, police have said, three years to the day after the singer’s death. George Michael’s sister Melanie Panayiotou was found dead at her home on Christmas Day, police have said, three years to the day since the singer’s death.
The hairdresser, aged 55, was found by her older sister, Yioda, on the evening of 25 December.The hairdresser, aged 55, was found by her older sister, Yioda, on the evening of 25 December.
The Metropolitan police said they were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 19.35 on Wednesday “to reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s”. The death is not being treated as suspicious by police. The Metropolitan police said they were called by the London ambulance service shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday to reports of the sudden death of a woman. Her death is not being treated as suspicious by police.
In a statement through their lawyer Melanie’s family said: “We can confirm that very tragically Melanie has passed away suddenly. In a statement through their lawyer, Panayiotou’s family said: “We can confirm that very tragically, Melanie has passed away suddenly. We would simply ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this very sad time.”
“We would simply ask that the family’ s privacy be respected at this very sad time.” Michael was close to his sister and left £50m in his will to the makeup artist, who used to cut her brother’s hair as she travelled with him. Yioda Panayiotou also inherited a large part of his estate.
The news comes three years after the death of Michael – who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. In a statement released at the time, the star’s publicist said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.” On 23 December, Panayiotou had issued a Christmas message alongside her older sister, their father, Jack, and Michael’s former manager David Austin.
Michael was close to his sister and left £50m in his will to the 55-year-old makeup artist, who also used to cut her brother’s hair as she travelled with him. His eldest sister, Yioda Panayiotou, 57, also inherited a large part of his estate. “We have come full circle again, and Christmas time (and the holidays) are upon us once more,” they said.
On 23 December Melanie had issued a Christmas message alongside her older sister Yioda, their dad Jack and George’s former manager David Austin. “I think we as a family, (there are lots of us, we Greek Cypriots, we’re everywhere) have come to fully appreciate (although we already knew really), quite how much love there is out there in the world, for both Yog [Michael’s nickname] and his beautiful music.
It said: “We have come full circle again and Christmas time (and the holidays), are upon us once more.” “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.”
“I think we as a family, (there are lots of us, we Greek Cypriots, we’re everywhere)!! have come to fully appreciate (although we already knew really), quite how much love there is out there in the world, for both Yog and his beautiful music.” The message ended by telling people not to forget to send messages of love to those closest to them.
“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 ended by telling people not to forget to send their messages of love to those closest.