George Michael's sister dies exactly three years after the singer

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(CNN) - George Michael's sister Melanie Panayiotou was found dead on Christmas Day, exactly three years after the British artist died, the family lawyer confirmed to CNN.

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"We can confirm that very tragically Melanie died suddenly," said family lawyer John Reid, in a statement released Friday. "We would simply ask that the privacy of the family be respected at this sad time," he added.

The London Metropolitan Police reported in a statement sent to CNN that emergency services were called to a house in North London on Wednesday night due to "reports of the sudden death of a woman in her 50s."

George Michael with his sister Melanie Panayiotou during the 1980s.

"The police do not treat death as a suspect," the statement said, adding that the coroner will compile a report on the circumstances surrounding the death.

Panayiotou's death occurs exactly three years after Michael, 53, died suddenly in 2016 on Christmas Day. He left a catalog of hits, including "Careless Whisper," "Faith," and The Wham! Songs, "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Last Christmas."

An investigation attributed Michael's death to "natural causes."

The singer-songwriter, who rose to fame in the 1980s with his pop band Wham!, Accumulated a remarkable and valuable collection during his lifetime.

1 of 12 | British singer George Michael died on December 25 at age 53. In this archive photo of September 2012. (MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP / Getty Images)

2 of 12 | Michael performed during the closing ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012 (Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images)

3 of 12 | Michael died at 53 (TIM ROOKE / REX USA)

4 of 12 | Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of the Wham Group (Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

5 of 12 | George Michael and Elton John at the funeral of Princess Diana in September 1997. (JOHNNY EGGITT / AFP / Getty Images)

6 of 12 | Michael had a 30-year career marked by the scandals of his crazy parties. (JOERG KOCH / AFP / Getty Images)

7 of 12 | Here in 2010 in Australia (Paul Kane / Getty Images)

8 of 12 | In 2010 the singer had to appear in court after being arrested for crashing his Range Rover car in a store. In a previous appearance in court he pleaded guilty to driving under intoxicated and possessing marijuana. (Ian Gavan / Getty Images)

9 of 12 | Michael, whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was born on June 25, 1963 in London. Here before entering the court in London in 2010. (Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images)

10 of 12 | Here at a concert in Milan in 2011. Michael was openly gay. (Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images)

11 of 12 | Michael had a 30-year career marked by the scandals of his crazy parties. (JOERG KOCH / AFP / Getty Images)

12 of 12 | The singer during a press conference at the Royal Opera House in London in 2011 where he announced his 'Symphonica' tour in Europe that would lead him to perform on historic stages such as the Prague Opera and the Palais Garnier in Paris, among others. (LEON NEAL / AFP / Getty Images)

Just 48 hours before his death, Panayiotou had issued a joint statement on Michael's website.

"We will divert the bad and enjoy the good things as much as we can this year," while they will also play the "power" of Michael's songs, the statement read.

“We know how much your lyrics can offer support when things are difficult and help celebrate when times are good and life is going well… and that is as powerful now as if it were still with us and as many of you say in your messages: it's a gift, ”he added.

"It seems important that your generosity of spirit and natural empathy have touched you in a way that would embarrass you, all your kind words are really good to hear and we know that you have always known your true heart," said the statement.

George Michael