Cause of death for Sister Sledge star Joni Sledge revealed
Sister Sledge star Joni Sledge died suddenly last week.
The We Are Family singer, 60, was found unresponsive at her home in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, and reported dead by medics.
The news came as a shock to those close to her, with her agent insisting she had not been sick.
However it’s now been revealed that the cause of death was due to “complications from a pre-existing condition”.
Her personal physician determined that she died of natural causes.
The pop group had been together since Joni and her three sisters formed the group in 1971.
Joni’s surviving sister, Kim Sledge, said: “We are experiencing painful loss, however at the same time we can honestly say that we have the ‘peace that passes all understanding’ and the ‘Joy of the Lord’, which is our strength, because we know without a doubt that she is in heaven with our loving mother Florez Sledge and more importantly our Lord Jesus / Yeshua the Christ!
“She is at peace, and knowing that, comforts us.
“Our Joni was a beautiful person, a phenomenal artist and producer, a brilliant business woman and a powerhouse…truly Flo’s daughter!
“What an incredible privilege and honor for us to have known, lived and worked with such an enormous personality!
“Her greatest love and joy was her son Thaddeus (whom we are all very proud of), and performing live with her family.”
The group had been due to sing in LA just next week, and had last performed together in October.
It comes after another pop icon, George Michael, was set to be buried following his sudden death last December.
Her death was announced on social media on Saturday with a statement on Facebook reading: “Yesterday, numbness fell upon our family.”
“We are saddened to inform you that our dear sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin, Joni passed away yesterday.”
Writing online, the group added: “We miss her and hurt for her presence, her radiance, and the sincerity with which she loved and embraced life.”
Sister Sledge previously sang for the Pope in 2015, after a four decade long career.
Sledge is survived by a son, Thaddeus, and her sisters Debbie, Kim and Kathy Sledge.
