Mandisa, the Grammy-winning Christian music singer and former “American Idol” contestant, died in April from complications of class III obesity, according to an autopsy report.
Documents obtained by People list the singer's manner of death as natural and note that the 47-year-old woman was found dead in her Tennessee home on April 18. The singer “was last known to be alive approximately three weeks” before her death, according to the report. .
A representative for Mandisa, born Mandisa Lynn Hundley, confirmed the singer's death to The Times on April 19. “At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any other details,” the representative said at the time.
Mandisa's autopsy report confirms her father, John Hundley's, belief that his daughter “did not [harm herself]”, which he expressed to Fox News Digital in May. She told the outlet that detectives “looked for signs that she may have self-harmed, and there were no signs that indicated she did anything” of that nature. During a celebration of Mandisa's life in late April, Hundley said she believed her daughter “fell in her bedroom.”
Days after news of the “Overcomer” singer's death broke, Tennessee police confirmed to The Times that there were no signs of foul play.
The Cleveland Clinic defines class III obesity as a “chronic condition” in which a person has a body mass index of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more, while experiencing obesity-related health conditions. “Class III obesity can contribute to several serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” the clinic says.
Mandisa is a five-time Grammy nominee and earned her first award for her 2014 album, “Overcomer.” While her legacy includes the songs “Good Morning” and “You Keep Hope Alive,” she was best known for showcasing her talent on the fifth season of “American Idol” in 2006.
The veteran singing competition remembered Mandisa in an Instagram statement and with a musical tribute from former contestants Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon and Danny Gokey on an episode of “Idol” that aired in late April. The singers, all dressed in white, performed a version of Mary Mary's “Shackles (Praise You),” which Mandisa performed during her time on the series.
“I think she came in praising, I think she left praising,” Dixon said after the performance. “We will miss her, but our loss is heaven's gain.”
Times staff writer Eva Hartman contributed to this report.
