Singer CoCo Lee has died after a suicide attempt, her sisters confirmed in a Facebook post on Wednesday. She was 48.
Her elder sisters wrote that the star attempted suicide at home on Sunday, July 2, and was rushed to the hospital. The depression-related suicide attempt put her in a coma until her death on Wednesday.
“CoCo had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months,” the Facebook post stated.
“Although, CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her.”
The Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter moved to the US when she was 9 years old and eventually returned to her home state where she launched her music career.
Lee’s breakout role came in 1998 when she sang the Mandarin version of the theme song “Reflection” from the Disney classic “Mulan” and voiced the titular role for the Chinese version of the movie.
She also made history as the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars, singing the track “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and as the first Chanel brand ambassador of Chinese descent for the Asia region.
Lee remained an active high-profile star in mainland China up until her death and is remembered as a talented and stylish pop icon of the early aughts.
In recent years, Lee served as a judge on various singing competitions and reality shows.
“CoCo is also known to have worked tirelessly to open up a new world for Chinese singers in the international music scene, and she went all out to shine for the Chinese,” her sisters said in their post. “We are proud of her!”
Along with her sisters, Lee leaves behind her mother; husband Bruce Rockowitz, a Canadian businessman who is the former CEO of Hong Kong supply chain company Li & Fung; and two stepdaughters.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
