George Michael's sister Melanie Panayiotou dies on Christmas Day, the same day the singer was found dead in 2016
Three years after her brother died on Christmas Day, George Michael's sister Melanie Panayiotou has passed away.
According to Mirror, Melanie, who was a hairdresser, was found dead at her home on Wednesday, December 25, by her older sister Yioda Panayiotou. Incidentally, even George died in a similar manner at his home on December 25, 2016, which made it a haunting coincidence.
"Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 7.35 pm on December 25 to reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement to the outlet. "The death is not being treated as suspicious by police. A report will be compiled for the Coroner into the circumstances."
The cause of her death is not currently known.
The brother-sister duo were really close, with Melanie traveling around the world with George during the peak of his music career. Before he died at the age of 53 from heart and liver disease, he left the bulk of his estate to Melanie and Yioda.
Back in November, Melanie gave an interview to The Big Issue about the release of the Christmas movie 'Last Christmas', which was inspired by her late brother, saying that she hoped that people would enjoy the movie.
"My family and I hope you all enjoy the film, and Yog's music old and new, woven beautifully into this fun, easy tale of love and self-love," she wrote in the publication. "As many of you know, Yog adored Christmas and he loved the idea of this film. I am sure he will be enjoying seeing Emelia [Clark]'s amazing light bulb smile, something they share, across the celestial miles!"
She added: "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."
Her death came just a couple of days after she issued a joint statement with the rest of her family thanking George's fans for standing by the legendary singer.
"Hello Everybody, Lovelies, (and pets of Lovelies)! We have come full circle again and Christmas time (and the holidays), are upon us once more," the statement, which she had written with Yioda, dad Jack and George's manager David Austin on December 23, said.