Singer Coco Lee dies at 48 after a battle with depression

The family of Coco Lee announced on Instagram Wednesday that the singer and songwriter died at her home from suicide on July 5, reports Today Online.

“With great sadness, we are here to break the most devastating news: CoCo had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months,” said sisters Carol and Nancy Lee

“Although CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her.”

Coco sang the Oscar-nominated song A Love Before Time from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon at the Academy Awards in 2001. The Standard reports she released a single Do You Want My Love that rose to number 4 on the Billboard chart in 1999.

She also played the voice of Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s Mulan. She spent most of her career in Hong Kong, but grew up in San Francisco.

Coco’s last Instagram post on December 30, 2022 hinted at her battle.

“LOVE & FAITH ~my 2 favorite words that I carry strongly in my heart which I desperately needed to get thru this incredibly difficult year. Life seemed unbearable at times but I adopted the attitude of a “female warrior” to face them head on fearlessly but always had the biggest smile and big fat laughters!”

“I’m a female warrior baby! Just like The Great Wall of China I will never fall. If I can overcome anything, so can u! You are not alone, no matter how hard life gets, I’m with u.”

She attempted suicide on Sunday and had been in a coma until her death at the hospital on Wednesday.

“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. We are proud of her!” her sisters said.

“Although CoCo stays in the world for not long a time, her rays of light will last forever!”

If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, help is just a phone call away. Dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

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