Mandisa, the Grammy-winning Christian music singer and former âAmerican Idolâ contestant, died in April from complications of class III obesity, according to an autopsy report.
Documents obtained by People listed the singerâs manner of death as natural and noted that the 47-year-old was found dead in her Tennessee home on April 18. The singer âwas last known alive approximately three weeksâ before her death, the report said.
A representative for Mandisa, born Mandisa Lynn Hundley, confirmed the singerâs death to The Times on April 19. âAt this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details,â the representative said at the time.
Mandisaâs autopsy report confirms her father John Hundleyâs belief that his daughter âdid not [harm herself],â which he expressed to Fox News Digital in May. He told the outlet that detectives âlooked for signs that she may have harmed herself, and there were no signs to indicate that she did anythingâ of that nature. During a celebration of Mandisaâs life in late April, Hundley said he believed his daughter âfell down in her bedroom.â
Days after news of the âOvercomerâ singerâs death broke, Tennessee police confirmed to The Times that there were no signs of foul play.
Cleveland Clinic defines class III obesity as a âchronic conditionâ in which a person has a body mass index of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher while experiencing obesity-related health conditions. âClass III obesity can contribute to several serious health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease,â the clinic says.
Mandisa was a five-time Grammy nominee who earned her first award for her 2014 album, âOvercomer.â While her legacy includes songs âGood Morningâ and âYou Keep Hope Alive,â she was most widely known for showcasing her talents on Season 5 of âAmerican Idolâ in 2006.
The long-running singing competition remembered Mandisa in an Instagram statement and with a musical tribute by former contestants Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon and Danny Gokey in an âIdolâ episode that aired in late April. The singers, all dressed in white, delivered a cover of Mary Maryâs âShackles (Praise You),â which Mandisa performed during her time on the series.
âI think she came in praising, I think she left praising,â Dixon said after the performance. âWeâre gonna miss her, but our loss is heavenâs gain.â
Times staff writer Eva Hartman contributed to this report.