The cause of death has been disclosed for Mandisa, the Grammy Award-winning singer and American Idol contestant, who passed away in April.
According to an autopsy report obtained by TMZ, Mandisa, 47, died from “complications of class III obesity,” as she weighed 488 pounds at the time of her death. Per the Cleveland Clinic, Class III obesity, also known as severe or morbid obesity, is a medical classification indicating an exceptionally high level of excess body fat.
Per the report, the singer’s friends found her in a state of decomposition in her residence on April 18. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene, where she was pronounced dead.
Despite her state of decomposition, the autopsy was able to be thoroughly conducted, which showed no signs of trauma to her neck. A toxicology report also found nothing abnormal, resulting in the manner of death being ruled as natural.
As we reported, Mandisa was found deceased in her Nashville home this past April. Mandisa’s sudden passing at the age of 47 shocked her fans and loved ones. Her father revealed that she had no known health issues before her death.
She had previously opened up about her mental health struggles, telling ABC News in 2017 she’d contemplated suicide before. Her mental health struggles did not play a factor in her death, however.
The singer, whose full name is Mandisa Lynn Hundley, shot to stardom after placing ninth on “American Idol.”
Originally from Sacramento, California, Mandisa grew up singing in church and studying vocal performance at American River College. According to her record label artist bio, she continued her studies at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
After college, she worked as a session and backup vocalist for artists including Shania Twain and Trisha Yearwood before going on “American Idol.”
Mandisa went on to win a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2014 for her album “Overcomer.”
