George Michael's sister dies on third anniversary of superstar's death
One of pop superstar George Michael's sisters has died exactly three years after his Christmas Day death in 2016.
A statement from family lawyer John Reid confirmed the unexpected death of Melanie Panayiotou, 55, on Wednesday and appealed for privacy.
"We can confirm that very tragically Melanie has passed away suddenly," the statement said.
"We would simply ask that the family's privacy be respected at this very sad time. There will be no further comment."
London's Metropolitan Police said it received reports of the "sudden death of a woman" in her 50s in north London at around 7.30pm on Christmas Day.
Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and that a report will be given to the coroner.
According to reports, Melanie Panayiotou was found dead by her sister Yioda Panayiotou at her home in Hampstead, north London.
Michael, whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, compiled a long string of pop hits as a solo artist and earlier with Wham!
A post-mortem attributed his death at age 53 to natural causes, specifically a heart condition and a fatty liver.
Melanie Panayiotou and other members of the late singer's family posted a Christmas message on Michael's official website two days before her death.
In the message, the family thanked fans for their goodwill messages, saying they "lift us when things are tough".
With the third anniversary of the singer-songwriter's death approaching, his relatives had also asked that people continue to do "good deeds in his memory".
His sisters, his father Jack and longtime manager David Austin shared a statement on Michael's official website saying that the family have "come to fully appreciate (although we already knew really), quite how much love there is out there in the world, for both Yog and his beautiful music".
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