George Michael, studio portrait, London, 1987. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
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(CNN) —
George Michael’s sister Melanie Panayiotou was found dead on Christmas Day, exactly three years after the British pop stardied, the family’s lawyer has confirmed to CNN.
“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.”
London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement to CNN that emergency services were called to a home in north London on Wednesday evening due to “reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s.”
George Michael with his sister, Melanie Panayiotou during the 1980s.
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MediaPunch Inc/Alamy
“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.”
An inquest attributed Michael’s death to “natural causes.”
The singer-songwriter, who shot to fame in the 1980s as one half of pop band Wham!, amassed a noteworthy and valuable collection during his lifetime.
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.
Photos: George Michael
British pop star George Michael died on Sunday, December 25, 2016. The musician, who shot to fame with the 1980s duo Wham!, was 53 years old.
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Michael Putland/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham! perform on stage in 1985. The duo met at Bushey Meads School, in 1976, according to Michael's website.
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Michael Putland/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
George Michael of Wham! performs at the Live Aid concert in London in 1985.
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PA/PA Wire/PA Wire/AP
Photos: George Michael
Michael and Ridgeley pose for a photo at the Great Wall of China in 1985, during Wham!'s historic visit as the first-ever Western pop band to perform in the communist country.
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Peter Charlesworth/LightRocket/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Michael blow-dries his hair while on Wham!'s 1985 world tour. The band made stops in the UK, Japan, Australia, and China.
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Michael Putland/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Michael accepts Wham!'s award for favorite pop/rock band group at the American Music Awards in January 1986.
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ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Wham! performs its final show in front of 72,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium on June 28, 1986. Michael later went on to have a successful solo career.
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Michael Putland/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Michael performs during his "Faith World Tour," his first as a solo artist, in 1988.
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Michael Putland/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Michael at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
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Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
George Michael, left, and Paul McCartney perform together at the "Live 8 London" concert on July 2, 2005 in London.
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Live 8/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
George Michael, left, with his partner Kenny Goss at a reception after the Japan premiere of his autobiographical movie "George Michael: A Different Story," in December 2005. In 1998, Michael told CNN in an exclusive interview that he was gay.
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YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Singer George Michael, center, is surrounded by press and police on August 24, 2010 in London, after leaving a courthouse. Michael pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis after he crashed his car into a photo processing shop in London the month before.
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Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Michael gives a press conference announcing details for a new tour on May 11, 2011, at The Royal Opera House in London.
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Caroline True/Getty Images
Photos: George Michael
Michael performs at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Michael performs at a concert to raise money for AIDS charity Sidaction in Paris on September 9, 2012. He was considered by many a champion of the gay-rights movement.
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Francois Mori/AP
“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.”
