Family: Amy Winehouse's Death "Leaves a Gaping Hole in Our Lives"

Celebrity News July 24, 2011 AT 11:36AM
Family: Amy Winehouse's Death "Leaves a Gaping Hole in Our Lives" Credit: Gareth Davies/Getty Images

One day after Amy Winehouse's tragic death, her family has issued a statement regarding the 27-year-old singer's untimely passing.

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"Our family has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece. She leaves a gaping hole in our lives," the Winehouse family tells Us Weekly in a statement. "We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time."

PHOTOS: Amy and other stars who died at 27

The "You Know I'm No Good" singer is survived by her father, Mitch, her mother, Janis, and her older brother, Alex. Winehouse's father was in New York City when he learned of her death. "I'm getting on the next plane back. I'm coming home. I have to be with Amy," he reportedly said. "I can't crack up for her sake. My family needs me. I'm devastated; it's such a shock."

PHOTOS: Amy Winehouse's tumultuous life

Janis believed her daughter's death had been "only a matter of time" when they met just 24 hours earlier. "She seemed out of it," Janis said. "But her passing so suddenly still hasn't hit me."

When their visit was over, Winehouse said: "I love you, mum."

"They are the words I will always treasure," Janis now says. "I'm glad I saw her when I did."

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  • July 24, 2011 - 8:52pm Chris Drake

    There wouldn't be enough hospitals to hold all the recovering drug and alcohol addicts, if all we had to do was bring them in against their will. Never happen.

  • July 24, 2011 - 5:11pm Elda Reyes

    she was so young and talented, so sad.

  • July 24, 2011 - 4:38pm Dyanne Triend

    @ Chantel Charlie and Britney went willingly, and it was that or jail. You cannot just walk in and commit someone. If they do something illegal and are caught, sometimes this is what the sentence is, like Lohan. Charlie may have had a moment of weakness and agreed to go, and sign himself back out, or he was trying to beat the law. Britney had a breakdown, and was declared incompetent. Totally different. You evidently have not had anyone close to you addicted. If it were that easy, there would be no addicts.

  • July 24, 2011 - 4:30pm Kelly Gowdy

    I know people who were involuntarily committed, its not unheard of but if there are places where that is against the law, than they should change those laws, it could save many people lives

  • July 24, 2011 - 4:14pm Camille Montes

    I think Amy's death is a total tragedy. She was one great artist and song writer. Her mom saw her daughters death coming 'cause it's been awhile Amy was drunk&crunk pratically all day long. She didn't want her do die. But even if she would of brought her to hospital, like Gabrielle Reynolds said, they wouldn't of been able to help her beacause Amy didn't want any help. It's a shame. We lost another amazing Singer& a very honest and nice person. R.I.P Amy Winehouse. May your soul rest in peace

  • July 24, 2011 - 3:51pm Gina Platania-Doceti

    @Mandy, you cannot take an addict to a judge and involuntarily admit the person. If that was the case, the world would be free of drug addicts. That's not how it goes, you have to be ready to admit and go on your own. Amy was a grown woman and knew she needed help and tried a few times but went back to the drug. Like the words in her song "try to make me go to Rehab, I said NO NO NO. There is your answer.

  • July 24, 2011 - 3:51pm Chantal Côté

    Britney Spears' parents did what they had to do and it worked. Martin Sheen once had Charlie committed after he went to court. There are always solutions. Saying you can't help someone who doesn't want help is the best excuse in the world especially once it leads to death.

  • July 24, 2011 - 3:45pm Erica Rogers

    Unfortunately, no, you can'y just take a 27 year before a judge and insist on help for an addiction. You are very misinformed. With the amount of drug addicts out there, and people pushing to legalize pot etc. the courts would be overwhelmed. A 27 year old is entitled to do what they want unless they break the law, but even tho this is not legal enough is not done when they are caught. Even with intervention, they can sign themselves out the next day. No different then an alcoholic. Unless they break the law..nothing you can do.

  • July 24, 2011 - 3:40pm Gina Platania-Doceti

    @Gabrielle, I agree with you 100%. There is nothing you can do especially for someone over the age of 18. You have to admit yourself to rehab, they will not take you if you are forced. People who never had an addict in their lives should really not comment...

  • July 24, 2011 - 2:03pm Mandy Stauffer

    I agree! They could have taken her before a judge and had her involuntarily committed to an aggressive rehab program! A year long one would have done her good! There is plenty of evidence of her being drugged in public, where were the police, her parents, etc to use this information to keep her safe from herself?

  • July 24, 2011 - 2:03pm Gabrielle Reynolds

    Um, I think some of you folks have never had an addict in your family or inner circle. You can't "take them to the hospital." You can't call the police. You can't do anything. You sit there and watch them die if they don't want to get help for themselves. That's what it's like to love an addict. Really. You CA give them an ultimatum - get help or you'll not have me in your life anymore. And if that doesn't work - and it didn't for us - than that person will be out of your life, and then you are completely powerless.

  • July 24, 2011 - 2:00pm JoAnn Padula Nolt

    I'm sure she was " out of it" every time she saw her. An addicted person can only get true help, when they want it and 100% committed. I'm sad for the family, I'm sure they tried everything, seeing your child suffer is devastating,

  • July 24, 2011 - 1:48pm Nance Himo

    I think her parents did all that they could. Amy was 27 yrs... If she didnt want any help, then what more could they have done?

  • July 24, 2011 - 12:50pm Faye Williams

    Mother sd she thought the end was near,what kind of mother would not have taken her to hospital?? and Daddy is flying home BECAUSE Amy needs him, NO Amy needed you before she died!!!!!!!!! sorry for your loss

  • July 24, 2011 - 12:17pm Chantal Côté

    So 24 hours ago, her mother knew her death would come in a matter of time because she was so out of it??? Couldn't she bring her at the hospital then???

  • July 24, 2011 - 12:03pm So Infamous

    Im sure this cant be much of a shock for them shes been on a downward spiral for years! But still its sad she couldnt fight her addiction/inner demons

  • July 24, 2011 - 11:55am Keli Garrison

    My thoughts and prayers are with the Winehouse family. She was an amazingly talented singer. RIP Amy!

  • July 24, 2011 - 11:55am Cyndee Trausch

    so sorry for the parents - unimaginable to lose a child, even if that child did it to herself

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