Amy Winehouse postmortem inconclusive, say police

Cause of singer’s sudden death remains unknown after autopsy as police say definitive results could take up to four weeks An autopsy carried out following the sudden death of singer Amy Winehouse on Saturday has not established the cause of her death, with police saying that definitive results could take up to four weeks. A postmortem was carried out on Monday, hours after Winehouse’s parents formally identified her body, paving the way for a private family funeral which could be held as early as Tuesday. An inquest into the singer’s death was opened at St Pancras coroner’s court but adjourned until 26 October. Janis and Mitch Winehouse made a tearful appearance outside their daughter’s north London home and spoke to mourners, thanking them for their support. Mitch Winehouse spoke to people who were leaving handwritten notes and bouquets in memory of the singer, telling them: “This means so much to my family.” The 27-year-old singer, who fought a well-documented battle with drugs and alcohol, was found dead at her home in Camden Town by her bodyguard at around 4pm on Saturday afternoon. Police have said only that her death is unexplained, and that speculation regarding an overdose is “inappropriate”. Mitch Winehouse, who flew back from New York immediately after hearing the news of his daughter’s death, told her fans: “I can’t tell you what this means to us – it really is making this a lot easier for us. Amy was about one thing and that was love, her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends and to you guys as well. We’re devastated and I’m speechless but thanks for coming.” He appeared also to address reporters, many of whom he has known for several years. “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I know a lot of you, we’ve been together for five, six years, I know you’ve got a job to do. I’m glad you’re all here anyway,” he said. The impromptu shrine outside her home features photos as well as cards and notes, including an image of Winehouse posing in a bar. There is also a picture amended by artist Mysterious Al, showing her face with monochrome cartoon eyes and a white lightning strike in her beehive hair. Other less wholesome tributes were also on display, including half-full bottles of vodka and packets of cigarettes. Camera crews from around the world gathered outside her home on Monday as fans talked about their love of the singer, and some took photos of themselves in front of her house. Many left flowers and notes. One read: “Too fragile, too beautiful, too big a talent for this world.” Another thanked the star, saying: “Thanks to you I kept struggling in the toughest times.” At St Pancras coroner’s court the assistant deputy coroner, Suzanne Greenaway, said further toxicology tests will now be carried out to establish how the singer died. During the brief opening of the inquest she mentioned only the bare facts of her death. Amy Winehouse London Police Alexandra Topping guardian.co.uk

Posted by on July 25, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.