Talented singer Coco Lee has died after suffering from depression for years, her family has confirmed.
The 48-year-old Hong Kong-born American singer made a name for herself in the 1990s and 2000s as one of the most promising pop stars of Asia.
"Despite the best efforts of the hospital team to rescue and treat her from her coma, she finally passed away on 5 July, 2023," Lee's sisters, Carol and Nancy, shared in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
Before passing away, Lee had reportedly tried to take her own life on Sunday before being hospitalized, AFP reported.
Lee, who was fluent in both Cantonese and Mandarin as well as English, had managed to gain a fan base not only in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan but also in other countries in Southeast Asia like Singapore and Malaysia as well as in Australia.
The singer even sang the Mandarin version of the popular 1998 ballad "Reflection" for Disney's movie Mulan and "A Love Before Time" for the soundtrack of martial arts film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed by Ang Lee.
"Not only did she bring us joy with her songs and dances over the past 29 years, she also worked hard to break new ground for Chinese singers in the international music scene and has been doing her utmost to shine for the Chinese," Lee's sisters wrote in the Instagram post.
In her last Instagram post on New Year's Eve last year, Lee revealed that she had gone through some "major life changing hurdles" during the year and regarded it as an "incredibly difficult year".
In March, she posted on Facebook that she had gone through pelvic and thigh surgery after triggering an old leg injury.
Lee had been married to Bruce Rockowitz, former CEO of Hong Kong-based supply chain giant Li & Fung, since 2011. The couple had two daughters from his previous marriage.
In remembrance of Lee, both her sisters called on people to pass on her trademark "bright smile, honesty and kindness to everyone around you and continue Coco's wish that all those around her will feel her love and joy."
The late singer's fans have spent the entire day mourning her death on social media, posting messages of love and sympathy, and have promised to keep her legacy alive.