Joni Mitchell in a Coma, Claims Site; Singer Hospitalized & Unconscious?

Joni Mitchell, a Canadian-born folk singer, was hospitalized and unconscious, according to various entertainment news sites.

Leslie Morris, Mitchell's close friend, filed for legal conservatorship over the singer. TMZ reported that Joni Mitchell was hospitalized, unconscious, and unresponsive. A post from the singer-songwriter's official Twitter account announced Joni is still in intensive care but is "awake and in good spirits."

She underwent a surgical procedure shortly after arriving to the hospital, the site claims. It also reported last March 31 that Joni Mitchell was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center after she was found unconscious inside her home in Los Angeles.

The singer's representatives, however, released updates and statements on Mitchell's official website, JoniMitchell.com.

Last April 28, Leslie Morris approved a statement to be posted on the website regarding her friend's condition and her status over Mitchell: 

"Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet today, Joni is not in a coma. Joni is still in the hospital - but she comprehends, she's alert, and she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected. The document obtained by a certain media outlet simply gives her longtime friend Leslie Morris the authority - in the absence of 24-hour doctor care - to make care decisions for Joni once she leaves the hospital.

"As we all know, Joni is a strong-willed woman and is nowhere near giving up the fight. Please continue to keep Joni in your thoughts."

The update concluded with a website link where fans can leave well wishes for the singer.

The first health update was released April 3 by an unnamed source, confirming that Joni was confined in a hospital but is not under any serious condition.

"Joni remains under observation in the hospital and is resting comfortably. We are encouraged by her progress and she continues to improve and get stronger each day."

The 71-year-old singer was born in Canada. According to Huffington Post, she is one of the highly regard folk artists in the 1960s and 1970s. She won eight Grammy Awards and is best known for songs like "Big Yellow Taxi," "The Circle Game," "River," and "Both Sides Now." In 1997, she was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Prior to being hospitalized, Joni Mitchell revealed that she suffers from Morgellon's Disease, a skin condition that is uncommon and poorly understood with signs and symptoms such as fatigue, sores or skin rashes, and crawling sensations under the skin. According to UK Daily Mail, the singer has had the condition all her life.