Fans and friends shocked by Amy Winehouse’s death

Grieving fans gathered at Amy Winehouse’s home in a posh London square on Sunday to lay flowers and pay tributes outside after the troubled singer’s shock death. Shortly after the 27-year-old singer’s death was announced on Saturday, they began gathering in Camden Square, north London, to bid farewell to a star whose songs often reflected her tumultuous lifestyle. Police declined to comment on the death, saying it was inappropriate to speculate on the circumstances of the 27-year-old soul singer’s death, which is being treated as unexplained. Winehouse was found dead at her home. “Upon arrival, officers located the body of a 27-year-old woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed, and I can confirm that the deceased is Amy Winehouse,” Superintendent Raj Kohli told reporters on the cordon. “The investigation into the circumstances of her death is ongoing. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. “I am aware of reports suggesting that this death was the result of a suspected drug overdose, but I would like to re-emphasise that no post-mortem has yet been carried out and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death.” To comfort one another, fans lit candles and left flowers, notes, guitars, teddy bears and photos of the singer as police stood guard at a cordon. “Amy, we will miss your great talent. RIP,” read one note left in a bouquet of flowers. “My dear Amy, I am glad you are home. Love and light to you, princess,” read another tag attached to a feather. Shamini, a 25-year-old accountant and Winehouse fan, told AFP: “It was very, very shocking given she was such a talented singer.” Maeve, a 13-year-old schoolgirl, said: “She was really great, she was really talented and she was an incredible artist and she was a great person to look up to as a singer.” Producer Mark Ronson, who worked closely with Winehouse, said: “She was my musical soulmate and like a sister to me. It’s one of the saddest days of my life.” Ron Brand, the father of British actor and comedian Russell Brand, who had known Winehouse, said: “It’s a tragic loss. She was beautiful, talented of course, and sweet. I loved her.” Ze Silva, a local restaurant owner, said Winehouse would come in up to twice a week. She saw her last Tuesday and said she had stopped drinking. “She had nothing to drink.” “She said to me, ‘Darling, don’t give me any alcohol, I don’t drink anymore,'” Silva said. “She was normal. She talked to everyone, had her picture taken with the kids, gave them autographs. “She was a nice girl. I’m very sad,” she told BBC television. American singer Carole King said the star’s death was “really tragic”. She said she was “very grateful” to Winehouse for putting her “wonderful talent” into recording a version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, a song co-written by King and Gerry Goffin. “She did such a beautiful performance on it. I’m just grateful that she gave this gift to Gerry and me and the world. I truly hope she has found peace now, wherever she may be,” she said. Her record label Universal said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer.” “Our prayers are with Amy’s family, friends and fans at this difficult time,” a spokeswoman for the London Ambulance Service (LAS), which was called to her home at 3:54pm (1454 GMT) on Saturday and sent two ambulance crews who arrived within five minutes, told AFP. “Sadly the patient has passed away,” the spokeswoman said. Forensic officers were seen entering and leaving her home before a black private ambulance pulled up outside. Two officers in black suits then carried a body bag onto a stretcher. LAS called police minutes after arriving at her home. The singer had planned a 12-date European tour but cancelled after a disastrous first performance in Serbia on June 18. Before her return to the stage, Winehouse spent a week in a drug treatment clinic in London, reportedly at the suggestion of her father, Mitch, who was concerned she was drinking too much. Winehouse rose to fame after winning five Grammy Awards for her 2006 second album Back to Black and the release of the song The Black Lives Matter. Last month, she returned to tour with the single Rehab. She was booed at her first performance in Belgrade, reportedly too drunk to sing. She stumbled throughout the 90-minute concert, mumbling the lyrics and failing to keep up with her band. She made her final public appearance at the Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday, joining her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield on stage. She danced briefly and encouraged the audience to buy the 15-year-old’s album.