LONDON (AFP) – Grief-stricken fans flocked to Amy Winehouse's home in a posh London square on Sunday to place flowers and tributes outside after the shock death of the troubled singer.
Soon after the 27-year-old songstress' death was announced on Saturday, they started gathering in Camden Square, north London, to bid farewell to a star whose songs often reflected her tempestuous lifestyle.
Police have refused to comment on the death, saying it was inappropriate to speculate on the circumstances of the 27-year-old soul singer's death, which is being treated as unexplained.
Winehouse was found dead at her home.
"On arrival, officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed, and I can confirm that the deceased is Amy Winehouse," Superintendent Raj Kohli told reporters at the cordon.
"Enquiries continue into the circumstances of her death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained and there have been no arrests in connection with the incident.
"I am aware of reports suggesting this death is the result of a suspected drugs overdose, but I would like to re-emphasise that no post-mortem examination has yet taken place and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death."
Comforting one other, fans lit candles and left flowers, notes, guitars, teddy bears and photographs of the singer as police officers stood guard at a cordon.
"Amy, we will miss your great talent. RIP," read one note left in a bunch of flowers.
"Dearest Amy, I'm glad you made it home. Love and light to you, princess," read another tied to a feather.
Shamini, a 25-year-old accountant and a Winehouse fan, told AFP: "It was very, very shocking considering the fact that she was such a talented singer."
Maeve, a 13-year-old schoolgirl, said: "She was really big, she was really talented and she was such an amazing performer and she was a great person to look up to as a singer."
Producer Mark Ronson, who worked closely with Winehouse, said: "She was my musical soulmate and like a sister to me. This is one of the saddest days of my life."
Ron Brand, the father of British comedian-actor Russell Brand, who had known Winehouse, said: "It's a tragic loss. She was beautiful, talented of course, and gentle. I loved her."
Local restaurant owner Ze Silva said Winehouse would come in as often as twice a week. She saw her last Tuesday and said she had stopped drinking.
"She had nothing to drink. She said to me 'Darling, don't give me any alcohol, I'm not drinking any more', Silva said.
"She was normal. She would speak to everyone, have pictures taken with the kids, give autographs to the kids.
"She was a good girl. I'm very sad."
US singer Carole King told BBC television the star's death was "really tragic".
She said she was "very grateful" Winehouse had put her "wonderful talent" into recording a version of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", a song co-written by King and Gerry Goffin.
"She did such a beautiful performance on it. I'm just grateful she gave that gift to Gerry and me and to the world. I just really hope that she's found peace now wherever she is," she said.
Her record label Universal said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."
A London Ambulance Service (LAS) spokeswoman told AFP they were called to her home at 3:54 pm (1454 GMT) Saturday and sent two ambulance crews which arrived within five minutes.
"Sadly the patient had died," the spokeswoman said.
Forensic officers were seen going in and out of her home before a black private ambulance pulled up outside. Two officials in black suits then brought out a body bag on a stretcher.
The LAS called the police within minutes of reaching her house.
The singer had a 12-date European comeback tour scheduled but pulled out following a disastrous opening performance in Serbia on June 18.
In the run-up to her live return, Winehouse spent a week at an addiction treatment clinic in London, reportedly at the suggestion of her father, Mitch, over concerns that she was drinking too much.
Winehouse rocketed to fame after winning five Grammy awards off the back of her 2006 second album "Back to Black" and the hit single "Rehab".
Her comeback tour lasted one performance last month when she was booed at the opening performance in Belgrade, apparently too drunk to sing. She stumbled her way through the 90-minute gig, mumbling the lyrics and failing to follow her band.
She made her final public appearance at The Roundhouse venue in Camden on Wednesday, joining her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield on stage. She briefly danced and encouraged the audience to buy the 15-year-old's album.
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