By Tony Noble • Published: 27 Dec 2019 • 15:37
George Michael’s sister Melanie Panayiotou has died aged 55 on the third anniversary of her brother’s death.
The hairdresser was found dead at her home on Christmas Day – the same day George was found dead in 2016. The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 19:35hrs on Wednesday, 25 December to reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s, at an address in Oak Hill Park, NW3. ‘The death is not being treated as suspicious by police. ‘A report will be compiled for the Coroner into the circumstances.’
Her cause of death has not yet been revealed. Melanie’s death comes three years to the day after her little brother died on Christmas Day 2016. The Faith singer passed away on 25 December 2016 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, at the age of 53. His cause of death was attributed to dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver. Melanie was extremely close to George, who she affectionately called Yog, and travelled the world with him on tour at the height of the Wham! star’s fame.
Just a month ago, she chatted to the Big Issue about the film Last Christmas, which was based around George’s music. She said: ‘As many of you know, Yog adored Christmas and he loved the idea of this film. I am sure he will be enjoying seeing Emilia [Clarke]’s amazing light bulb smile, something they share, across the celestial miles! ‘And, most importantly, we all, together with our dear departed Yog (my “very proud to be gay” brother — contrary to what you may have read recently!) wish a very merry, merry Christmas to Big Issue sellers and readers alike.’
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Tony Noble is a licensed Lay Minister in the Anglican chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida. Telephone - 711 043 859 - nobletony92@gmail.com
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