Sinead O'Connor had been mourning the loss of her son, Shane Lunny, since he died. Although she didn't consistently share her thoughts and feelings on social media, she did post a response to a tweet that asked for people to express how life is going by way of emoji. On July 17, O'Connor tweeted a string of crying face emoji along with the hashtag "#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022." She also included an old photo of her and Shane hugging. "Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him," she wrote.

Many Twitter users commented on the post at the time, letting O'Connor know that she wasn't alone throughout this dark period of her life. Following her death, additional comments on the post have shown up, many Twitter users leaving their condolences for another life taken too soon — hers. "I hope you know how loved you were," one person tweeted. "I'm so sorry to hear that you have gone to be with Shane. May you find peace together and in the next life to come," another Twitter user wrote.