Autopsy on Amy Winehouse Does Not Reveal What Killed Her
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Two days after being found dead in her London house, an autopsy was performed on the body of Amy Winehouse. But police say the autopsy was inconclusive and did not established what killed the singer.
The Metropolitan Police say more toxicology tests are needed, the results of which are expected in two to four weeks.
Winhouse's parents identified her body on Monday and visited mourners outside her north London home to thank them for their support.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A private family service could be held as early as Tuesday.
The singer's father, Mitch Winehouse, thanked people for coming to lay bouquets, candles and handwritten notes, which lay in growing mounds across the road from the Victorian house where the soul diva died.
"I can't tell you what this means to us -- it really is making this a lot easier for us," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"We're devastated and I'm speechless but thanks for coming."
The singer's mother, Janis, was in tears as she examined the flowers, candles, vodka bottles, flags, drawings and handwritten cards left by neighbors, fans and well-wishers. Many of the offerings expressed the same sentiment: "What a waste."
Winehouse, 27, died after publicly struggling with drug and alcohol abuse for years. Her body was discovered at home by a member of her security team, who called an ambulance. It arrived too late to save her.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The UK Sun said she could have been dead as long as six hours.
Police have said her death is being treated as "unexplained" but not suspicious, and have said speculation that she might have suffered an overdose was inappropriate.
An inquest into the death was opened and adjourned at London's St. Pancras Coroner's Court. During the two-minute hearing, an official read out the name, birth date and address of Winehouse, described as "a divorced lady living at Camden Square NW1."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"She was a singer songwriter at the time of her death and was identified by her family here at St. Pancras this morning," said coroner's officer Sharon Duff.
Duff said a forensic post-mortem was being held, along with histology and toxicology tests, to determine the cause of death. She said "the scene was investigated by police and determined non-suspicious."
In Britain, inquests are held to establish the facts whenever someone dies violently or in unexplained circumstances.
Assistant Deputy Coroner Suzanne Greenaway said Winehouse's inquest would resume on Oct. 26.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The singer had battled addiction to drugs and alcohol for years, too often making headlines for erratic behavior, destructive relationships and abortive performances.
Last month, Winehouse canceled her European comeback tour after she swayed and slurred her way through barely recognizable songs in her first show in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Booed and jeered off stage, she flew home and her management said she would take time off to recover.
Her last public appearance came three days before her death, when she briefly joined her goddaughter, singer Dionne Bromfield, on stage at The Roundhouse in Camden, near her home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.