Death of singer Simone Battle is ruled suicide

In this Tuesday, July 22, 2014 file photo, Simone Battle of the band G.R.L. at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Battle was found dead in her West Hollywood, Calif., home Friday morning, Sept. 5, 2014. Battle gained notoriety through performances on the television show “X Factor,” and her band G.R.L. had been signed by mega-hit maker Dr. Luke. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department says an autopsy will be performed Sunday. AP

LOS ANGELES – The death of girl group singer Simone Battle was ruled a suicide by hanging, authorities said Sunday.

The cause of death was determined two days after the 25-year-old Battle was found dead in her West Hollywood home, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Lt. Fred Corral said.

Battle became known through her performances on the television show “X Factor.” Her five-member band — G.R.L., originally a reboot of the Pussycat Dolls — had been signed by mega-hit maker Dr. Luke.

The group was featured on rapper Pitbull’s hit song “Wild Wild Love” earlier this year. Battle told The Associated Press in July that the collaboration gave the group a platform to launch its debut single, “Ugly Heart.”

A posting on G.R.L.’s Twitter account on Saturday said, “Words cannot express the depth of our loss. Simone’s incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart.”

“We will carry her memory with us in everything we do,” the posting continued.

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