Investigation Underway After Christian Singer, 'American Idol' Alum Mandisa Found Dead

[Knox]

A spokesman for the Franklin Police Department said officers were involved in an active death investigation Friday after Christian singer and "American Idol" alum Mandisa was found dead in her Nashville-area home one day earlier.

Mandisa, born in Citrus Heights, California, as Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was 47.

A rep for the singer, The Media Collective, issued a statement confirming her death Friday morning.

"At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details," the statement reads. "We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time."

Investigation underway after Christian singer, 'American Idol' alum Mandisa found dead

An investigation is underway after 'American Idol' alum and Christian singer Mandisa was found dead in her Nashville-area home. She was 47.

www.tennessean.com

 

[Knox]

I was so sad to hear of Mandisa's death, I really enjoy her music. She had a beautiful voice and a spirit that matched.

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[FL Wannabe]

She will be missed.

From the statement by KLove, I made an assumption that she was lost to addiction. I am not so sure, now.

 

[CCJD]

A Look Back at Mandisa's Ups and Downs Following the Grammy-Winning American Idol Alum's Death at 47

Before Mandisa's death at age 47 on April 18, the Grammy-winning 'American Idol' alum was open about her experience with "a deep pit of depression" that left her feeling "so hopeless" she contemplated suicide.

people.com

 

[GeorgiaRai]

Love her - her music, her spirit, her vulnerability. She was so open about her depression and mental health issues. One of the sweetest comments I've read was from singer Natalie Grant who ended her Instagram post with "I rejoice that you're it the arms of Jesus, whole in every way, and understanding just how completely loved you have always been."

 

[bestill]

Very sad to read this about Mandisa. I remember watching her on American Idol, powerful voice!

 

[sallye818]

Very sad. so much life left. Praying for all who loved her.

 

[tezi]

I was so sad to hear of Mandisa's death, I really enjoy her music. She had a beautiful voice and a spirit that matched.

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View this content on Instagram

Me too Knox, I love her music!

 

[ifindedout]

Mandisa's Cause of Death Revealed After Grammy-Winning 'American Idol' Alum Died at 47

Soulful vocalist Mandisa finished in the top 9 on season 5 of 'American Idol' and later earned a Grammy in 2014 for her 'Overcomer' album.

people.com

The Grammy winner and American Idol alum died of complications of class III obesity at age 47, according to an autopsy reported obtained by PEOPLE.

The report said the star was found dead in her home by friends on April 18, and that she "was last known alive approximately three weeks" earlier.

Her manner of death is listed as natural.

Class III obesity is a disease in which a person "has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher and is experiencing obesity-related health conditions," according to the Cleveland Clinic.

 

[Quim The Extraordinaire]

Rest in peace, Mandisa. I’m sorry that she seems to have struggled with physical and mental health recently (she’s definitely not alone in that).

This MSM article discusses a bit more in layman’s terms what a cause of death from complications with obesity means:

MSN

[Dr. Katherine] Saunders says that life-threatening complications from obesity can also include heart attack, heart failure, sudden cardiac death, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

“While there is increasing recognition of obesity as a complex, heterogeneous, chronic disease, many people don’t realize how serious obesity is,” says Saunders. “Obesity is treatable, but it is massively undertreated.”