Credit – Celebbuzz
Credit: Los Angeles Times
Former American Idol contestant Mandisa has sadly passed away at the age of 47. The singer finished in ninth place during her run on the show in 2006. She went on to win a Grammy in 2014.
A newly released autopsy report reveals the reason for her death.
According to People, former American Idol singer Mandisa’s death has been revealed per an autopsy report obtained by the outlet.
Mandisa sadly passed away in her home on April 18.
A rep from her team released a devastating statement the day after she was found.
We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” they told People.
“At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the rep said at the time.
Now all of the answers about Mandisa’s shocking death are coming to light from the autopsy report.
According to the outlet, the autopsy said that she “died of complications of class III obesity.”
She was found by friends in her home on April 18 and was “last known alive approximately three weeks earlier,”People reported.
The singer opened up about other struggles in 2017 after she lost a friend and gained 195 lbs. At the time she even thought about suicide to get out of her darkness.
It only takes one flicker of light to chase out the darkness,” she told People at the time.
“When she passed away, it shook the foundations underneath me,” Mandisa said. “I sank into a deep pit of depression.”
The Christian singer said she coped with food – as a result gaining 195 lbs.
You’re battling shame, and you don’t want to leave the house,” Mandisa said. “I didn’t leave the house, for the most part. When I got up, I went downstairs, sat in the recliner, and I watched television nonstop. The only time I left was when I got tired of pizza delivery and decided to get McDonald’s.”
She turned away from her friends and music, noting that she felt “miserable and hopeless.”
“I am a woman of faith, and I believe that heaven is real, and when I do leave here, I’m going to be in heaven with Jesus. One of the things I started hearing during that dark period was: ‘You’re in so much pain. If you take your life, you could be in heaven right now with Jesus.
In 2016 Mandisa went to the movie theater. When she left the theater, she was met with her car covered in sticky notes full of encouraging messages such as, “We love you” and “We miss you.”
“As I walked closer to my car, I realized a bunch of my friends had been sitting there waiting for me. They insisted that I get counseling, and that is what helped me finally start dealing with my grief. If that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t be here today,” she said.
Mandisa said after this she started to cope with her emotions in a healthier way.
She started getting treatment and losing weight again.
“I’m making one healthy choice after another to l lb. at a time,” she said at the time.
During this time, the singer released an album titled “Out of the Dark” which tells the story of her difficult journey with grief.
“When you are walking through this, you think that you’re the only one,” she said “But you are never the only person walking through something like that.”
Thoughts and prayers are with Mandisa’s family during this time.
