Tragic end for singing icon and 'kind angel' Coco lee

Renowned Hong Kong singer-songwriter Coco Lee, who performed A Love Before Time for Oscar-nominated movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, has taken her life after suffering from depression for a few years. She was 48.

Lee's elder sisters, Carol and Nancy, broke the sad news on social media last night.

They said Coco had been fighting depression for a few years, but her condition worsened in recent days.

She committed suicide at her home on Sunday and remained in a coma at Queen Mary Hospital, where she passed away yesterday.

Her sisters said they are proud of Coco as she had "created a new world for Chinese singers in international pop music and shine for Chinese people."

It was supposed to be Coco's 30th debut anniversary this year. She said in March that she had undergone leg surgery in America.

"We are grateful to God for giving us such a kind angel. We hope that now she has gone to a happier place," her sisters said. "Now our biggest responsibility is to take good care of our elderly mother and we hope everyone will pray for this old lady."

They also hoped people would treat other people like Coco, who always put on her signature smile with her kind and genuine attitude.

Coco was born in Hong Kong and was the youngest of three children. She moved to San Francisco when she was nine with her mother and siblings.

She made her debut after taking first runner-up at the 12th Annual New Talent Singing Awards in 1992. At the Academy Awards in 2001, she performed A Love Before Time, which was nominated for best original song.

Coco married Canadian businessman Bruce Rockowitz in 2011 but it was said that their relationship was troubled.