George Michael’s sister Melanie found dead on Christmas Day
THE sister of singer George Michael was found dead on Christmas Day – exactly three years after his death.
Melanie Panayiotou, 55, was reportedly discovered by her sister at her home in Hampstead, north-west London, on the evening of Dec 25.
The hairdresser was close to her brother, who was a member of the music duo Wham!.
The band released a string of charttopping singles in the Eighties, before Michael went solo. He sold more than 100million albums in his career.
He died of natural causes on Christmas Day 2016 in Goring-on-thames, Oxfordshire. He was 53.
Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 7.35pm on Wednesday to “reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s”.
The Metropolitan Police said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be compiled for the coroner into the circumstances.”
John Reid, the family’s lawyer 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. There will be no further comment.”
Last night, Andrew Ridgeley, Michael’s former Wham! bandmate, wrote on Twitter: “Utterly tragic news of Mel Panayiotou’s passing.
“My thoughts are with her sister and father at this desperately sad time.”
Ms Panayiotou and her sister, Yioda, inherited part of Michael’s estate after his death. This included a £97.6million fortune and a Grade Ii-listed mansion in Highgate, north London.
Michael’s family had told fans this year that their supportive messages “lift us when things are tough”.
As the third anniversary of his death approached, relatives David Austin and Michael’s manager, shared a statement on his official website saying that they have “come to fully appreciate quite how much love there is out there in the world for his beautiful music”.