Amy Winehouse’s father tells fans their love ‘means so much to my family’

Mitch Winehouse greets mourners outside north London home of singer who died in unexplained circumstances on Saturday Amy Winehouse’s father has greeted mourners laying flowers outside her north London home and thanked her fans for their support and love. Mitch Winehouse spoke to people who were leaving handwritten notes and bouquets in memory of the singer, who died on Saturday, telling them: “This means so much to my family.” The 27-year-old singer, who had a well-documented battle with drugs and alcohol for several years, was found dead at her home in Camden Town by her bodyguard. A postmortem is expected on Monday afternoon, and 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. One note read: “Too fragile, too beautiful, too big a talent for this world” and another said: “To an exquisite singer with a beautiful voice.” The singer’s family, speaking for the first time on Sunday, said they had been left “bereft” by her death, describing her as “a wonderful daughter, sister, niece”. In a statement they said: “She leaves a gaping hole in our lives. We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time.” It is understood that her body was formally identified on Monday morning. Scotland Yard said that later on Monday a postmortem examination will take place and an inquest into her death will be opened and adjourned at St Pancras coroners court. 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.