- Amy's parents visit the tributes to the singer outside her home
- Funeral to take place today
- Singer 'received the all-clear following a medical just hours before her death'
- She could have been dead for 'up to six hours'
- 'Inconsolable' ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil says, 'My tears just won't dry'
- Security guard Andrew Morris found singer not breathing in bed
Amy Winehouse's funeral will be held today for family and close friends to attend as tributes continue to pour in for the singer.
The ceremony will happen today even though her cause of death is not yet known as police have said it will be up to four weeks before tests have been carried out.
The 27-year-old's parents Mitch and Janis Winehouse paid an emotional visit to the shrine made in tribute to the singer outside her London home yesterday.
Family support: Amy's parent's Mitch and Janis Winehouse were seen with their son Alex as they made an emotional visit to view the tributes left outside the singer's Camden home
They sobbed as they looked at the flowers, candles, cuddly toys and even cigarette boxes and alcoholic drinks left at the edge of police cordons surrounding the singer's house.
A spokesman for the family said last night: 'The funeral will take place on Tuesday and will be a family and close friends affair.'
He would not reveal details about the location or time of the funeral, which Jewish law states has to take place as soon as possible.
In our thoughts: Amy's mother Janis, bottom right, Amy's father and his wife Jane, middle, her ex-boyfriend Reg and brother Alex were overcome with emotion as they read the memorial cards letters and notes
Tribute: A Banksy-like mural of Amy Winehouse has mysteriously appeared on a wall near the tragic singer's favourite haunts
'We're devastated and I'm speechless, but thanks for coming.'
Amy's parents sought support from each other and were seen hugging and condoling the other as they took in the reality of what has happened.
They have said they are 'devastated' and 'speechless' by their daughter's death, whose inquest was opened and adjourned. The cause of death has not yet been specified and toxicology tests will now be carried out. Police have ruled out foul play.
Meanwhile, Amy's ex-boyfriend Reg Traviss has spoken about his devastation following the singer's death.
The film director told The Sun: 'The last three days have been hell. We have suffered a terrible loss and want peace now. I can't describe what I am going through and I want to thank so much all of the people who have paid their respects and who are mourning the loss of Amy, such a beautiful, brilliant person and my dear love. I have lost my darling who I loved very much.'
Traviss added Amy had been looking forward to attending a friend's wedding on Sunday, and had even been trying to decide which outfit to wear.
He added: 'Amy had laid out dresses to make up her mind. She was really looking forward to it.'
Sharon Duff, coroner's officer at St Pancras Coroner's Court, said during the two minute hearing yesterday: 'I bring before you the death of Amy Jade Winehouse who was aged 27 born on the 14th September 1983 in London.
'She was a divorced lady living at Camden Square, NW1. She was certified dead at her home on July 23 by a paramedic and a doctor. She was a singer/songwriter at the time of her death.
Kind words: Amy's father Mitch Winehouse read a card left by a fan as he viewed the tributes to the singer outside her Camden Home. Her ex-boyfriend Reg Traviss was also present
Tribute: Fans left beer cans, cigarettes and flowers outside Amy Winehouse's Camden home yesterday as they paid their respects
'The scene has been examined by police who have deemed it non-suspicious.'
Assistant Deputy Coroner Suzanne Greenaway said Winehouse's inquest would resume on October 26.
The singer's ex-boyfriend Reg Traviss was also present with Janis and Mitch and he viewed the memorial site quietly. Mitch, who flew home from New York upon hearing the tragic news of his daughter's death, thanked reporters, photographers and fans for their support.
Breaking down: Mitch couldn't contain his grief and was comforted by Amy's brother Alex as the family including he former wife, Amy's mother Janis read the tributes to their late daughter
Tragic loss: Amy's father Mitch thanked the photographers, reporters and the fans for being there and for their support
Paying respects: There are hundreds of flowers, parcels, gifts and presents that have been left for the singer in Camden
'And you people in the street, 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 also spoke with members of the public who had turned out to pay their respects to the singer.
Heartbroken: Mitch and his wife Jane looked devastated and tearful as they left the coroner's office yesterday. Amy ex-boyfriend Reg Traviss was also in the group
In pain: Mitch and Janis tried to contain their emotions but the day proved extremely painful for the family
Sticking together: Amy's family her mother Janis, her father Mitch and her brother Alex lean on each other for support
Deep grief: Janis saw her daughter the day before she died and Amy told her that she loved her
Best friend: Kelly Osbourne flew to London after learning the news of her friend's death
Pieces of artwork had also been laid down, including a striking photo of Winehouse posing in a bar, and a picture by artist Mysterious Al, showing her face with monochrome cartoon eyes and a white streak in her trademark beehive hair.
Amy's close friend Kelly Osbourne flew to London after learning the news of her death.
The singer was extremely distressed and dressed all in black as she made her way tearfully through the airport.
Amy's mother Janis had seen her daughter the day before her death and the singer told her: ‘I love you, Mum.’
The multi-millionaire had repeatedly tried but failed to overcome her addiction to alcohol, particularly vodka, and drugs.
Miss Winehouse, 27, was found at her North London home by a bodyguard on Saturday afternoon.
She was believed to be ‘devastated’ after splitting up with her on-off boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, who was seen outside her home hours after her body was discovered.
Amy's mother Janis told yesterday how she saw her daughter the day before she died, describing her as 'out of it'.
Bond: Amy Winehouse with her mother Janis after accepting a Grammy Award at London's Riverside Studios for the 50th Grammy Awards ceremony in 2008
Devastated: Amy's father Mitch Winehouse was seen at New York's JFK airport on the day of his daughter's untimely death
Drawn to drink: Amy Winehouse on stage in 2008 sipping a large glass of wine
'They are the words I will always treasure,' she said. I'm glad I saw her when I did.'
It has been claimed Amy had bought drugs the night before her death but a preliminary police investigation has shown no drug paraphernalia was found at Miss Winehouse’s £2.5million home.
Police sources have indicated she died following a drink binge.
Asked about the circumstances of Miss Winehouse's death, her PR spokesperson Chris Goodman told The Sun: 'Amy was on her own at home apart from a security guard who we had appointed to help look after her over the past couple of years.
'She was in her bedroom after saying she wanted to sleep and when he went to wake her he found she wasn't breathing.
'He called the emergency services straight away. He was very shocked. At this stage no-one knows how she died. She died alone in bed.'
It was also claimed Miss Winehouse may have been dead for up to six hours before she was found by her security guard, Andrew Morris.
A source told the newspaper: 'Rigor mortis had set in, indicating she is likely to have been dead for anything up to six hours.'
The singer had lunch with her mother Janis the day before she died. Mrs Winehouse believed her daughter’s death had been ‘only a matter of time’.
They had met in Camden and Mrs Winehouse said her daughter had ‘seemed weary, but that wasn’t particularly unusual as she always went to bed late. Her passing so suddenly still hasn’t hit me’.
As mother and daughter kissed on the doorstep of Miss Winehouse’s home, she said: ‘I love you, Mum.’
‘They are the words I will always treasure and always remember Amy by,’ said Mrs Winehouse, who lives in Enfield, North London.
Bad taste? Fans left bottles of vodka and wine, and cans of beer at the site
It has also been claimed Miss Winehouse had a medical examination by her doctor just hours before she died.A source said: 'The doctor was happy with her condition. When he left on Friday night he had no concerns. Less than 24 hours later she was found dead.
'Amy's health has been very fragile and she has been having a series of check-ups.'
Camden tribute: Amy Winehouse's picture has been posted on a street sign for Camden Square near her London flat
Fans' notes: Amy's grieving fans not only left her notes on paper but also wrote on the footpath to say they love her
Others questioned whether she had been adequately supported by her management and record label, Island, which is owned by Universal, for her addictions.
On her secret Facebook page, where she used the name Shirley Baxter, the singer recently joked about her place being cemented in the drug-ridden North London scene, writing to a friend ‘Camden Forever’.
Moving: Flowers, notes and messages and candles were left outside Amy's Camden home yesterday evening
Young fans: Two little girls bend down to read the messages left as they join crowds of people eager to pay their respects to the singer
She then performed a seven-song set at the prestigious 100 Club in London in front of friends and family and was deemed to be ‘back on form’.
But weeks later she was booed off stage at a gig in Belgrade, Serbia, after giving a dazed performance and delivering barely recognisable versions of her hits. The tour was swiftly cancelled.
‘She was a loving, wonderful person with an enormous talent and big heart. Fragile but strong, beautiful but deep.
‘I will always remember her as the person she actually was, and not the way in she was often portrayed.’
Mourning fans: A grieving fan wearing an Amy Winehouse printed T-shirt sheds a tear outside her home in front of cameras
Leaving notes: Youngsters gather around the area of flowers to leave their personalised messages to the late singer
'My tears won't dry': Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Ciivl has spoken about his devastation following his ex-wife's death
‘But in the last two, three weeks she didn’t drink. She said she had given up. She just had a Coca Cola. She told me, “I’m not drinking. Don’t give me anything to drink if I ask for it. I mustn’t have it”.’
Miss Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil will be ‘devastated’, according to his mother.
Fielder-Civil is currently in prison after being sentenced last month to 32 months for burglary and possession of an imitation firearm.
Talking to The Sun from prison, Fielder-Civil is quoted as saying he is 'beyond inconsolable' about his ex-wife's death, adding, 'My tears won't dry'.
He added: 'I will never ever again feel the love I felt for her. Everybody who knew me and Amy knew the depth of our love. I can't believe she's dead.'
And Fielder-Civil's girlfriend Sarah Aspin, who has a newborn son with him, said Miss Winehouse would be sorely missed,
She said: 'Blake is the father of our son. But I saw him and Amy together and I know they were really in love and were soulmates.
'She always loved him and he always loved her - but it was just never going to work. Basically they couldn't live with each other and they couldn't live without each other.
'It is hard for me knowing he still loved her, but I do understand his feelings.'
The couple married in Miami, Florida, in 2007 but divorced in 2009. He has long been blamed for bringing about her drugs downfall.
Local: Amy Winehouse was a regular patron of the Hawley Arms pub in Camden
No comments:
Post a Comment