Amy Winehouse Dead at 27

Tragically, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment in Camden, London on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011. The troubled musician has battled substance abuse and alcoholism for many years, and although toxicology reports are still pending, an overdose is the suspected cause of her untimely death. She has now joined the list of supremely talented and troubled musicians to pass at the young age of 27. Other notable artists on the list are Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.

In a statement, the London Metropolitan Police said, “Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased. On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained.”

Winehouse has battled drug addiction and alcoholism for years. She has been hospitalized on numerous occasions for health complications and near-death experiences caused by drugs and alcohol. She also showed signs of early-stage emphysema, caused by inhaling smoke from cigarettes, crack-cocaine, and other drugs.

Family, friends, and fans are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Amy’s passing. No one ever wants to think it will be their loved one whose time runs out with addiction just as no addict or alcoholic thinks they will be one of the unfortunate ones to die from this horrible disease. Addicts and alcoholics often have the notion that they are invincible while using and drinking and will not be one of the ones who overdoses, crashes their car while intoxicated and kills themselves or others, or has some other fatal accident that takes their life while under the influence. Many say to themselves, “I will have plenty of time to get help later. I’m not ready to get sober or go to treatment yet.” In fact, one of Ms. Winehouse’s most famous lyrics is “They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said ‘No, no, no.’” Tragically, ‘later’ will not come for many addicts, whose lives will end suddenly, just like Amy’s.