Friends have claimed George Michael’s sister Melanie Panayiotou ‘died of a broken heart’ after she passed away three years to the day after her superstar brother.
Melanie, 55, was found dead at her Hampstead house by her sister Yioda this week on the third anniversary of George’s death in 2016.
Her cause of death is yet to be made public, however according to sources: ‘People think she died from a broken heart.’
A source told The Sun Melanie ‘had been living as a recluse’ in the years since her Careless Whispers superstar brother died, ‘and only really went out to the hairdressers and post office and occasionally with her older sister Yioda’.
The source continued: ‘Melanie never got over George’s death or filled the void that was left by his passing.
‘She was the closest to him of anyone in the family. Although she was in touch with Yioda, I don’t think she saw much of her dad and had lost George and her mother.’
Melanie’s tragic passing was a shock to many, with Shirlie Kemp, George’s ex-backing singer and wife of Spandau Ballet star Martin, yesterday describing Melanie as ‘one of the kindest, most considerate people ever’, as tributes were laid outside George’s former home.
George’s fans left flowers, cards, candles and photos of the popstar outside the Highgate home to commemorate his and Melanie’s deaths.
One card read: ‘Happy Christmas George.
‘I miss and love you so much, my angel. Every single memory I have of you has become a part of me.’
Among the star tributes George’s Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley called Melanie’s death ‘utterly tragic’ and ‘desperately sad’.
He tweeted: ‘Utterly tragic news of Mel Panayiotou’s passing. My thoughts are with her sister and father at this desperately sad time.’
It comes three years to the day after Melanie’s little brother died on Christmas Day 2016.
The Faith singer passed away on 25 December 2016 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, at the age of 53. His cause of death was attributed to dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver.
Melanie was extremely close to George, who she affectionately called Yog, and travelled the world with on tour at the height of the Wham! star’s fame.
Just a month ago, she chatted about her ‘dear departed Yog’ to the Big Issue while discussing the film Last Christmas, which was based around George’s music.
She said: ‘As many of you know, Yog adored Christmas and he loved the idea of this film. I am sure he will be enjoying seeing Emilia [Clarke]’s amazing light bulb smile, something they share, across the celestial miles!
‘And, most importantly, we all, together with our dear departed Yog (my “very proud to be gay” brother — contrary to what you may have read recently!) wish a very merry, merry Christmas to Big Issue sellers and readers alike.’
Got a showbiz story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
