‘American Idol’ alum Mandisa died of complications of obesity
Mandisa. Image: Instagram/@mandisaofficial
Grammy-winning artist and “American Idol” alum Mandisa died at age 47 due to complications from class III obesity, an autopsy report revealed.
The autopsy report further lists the manner of death as natural, as per People on Tuesday, June 4.
Mandisa was found dead in her home by her friends on April 18. The autopsy report also states that the singer “was last known alive approximately three weeks” earlier.
According to Cleveland Clinic, class III obesity, formerly known as morbid obesity, is a “complex chronic 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.”
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Mandisa started her singing career after she joined the singing competition “American Idol” in 2006. She competed with fellow singers Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler and Chris Daughtry, among others, and finished in the ninth place.
In 2013, she won a Grammy award for best contemporary Christian music album with her fifth studio album “Overcomer.”
Amid her success, Mandisa suffered from depression in 2014 after her best friend and backup singer Kisha Mitchell died. Mandisa admitted that her mental struggles at the time prompted her to isolate herself and turn to food.
The singer sought counseling in 2016 which “helped [her] finally start dealing with [her] grief.” Mandisa had since worked to better not only her mental but also her physical health.
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