Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who rose to fame on season 5 of American Idol, died in April at the age of 47. The autopsy report, recently obtained by PEOPLE, has revealed that her cause of death was complications of Class III obesity.
Mandisa's body was found in her Nashville home by friends after she had not been heard from for approximately three weeks. Her manner of death was listed as natural.
Class III obesity, also known as morbid obesity, is a serious health condition characterised by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Following her successful run on American Idol, Mandisa embarked on a flourishing music career. Her debut album, True Beauty, earned her a Grammy nomination and topped the Billboard Christian Albums chart. She went on to release five more albums and won a Grammy Award for her 2013 album Overcomer.
However, Mandisa faced personal struggles in 2014 when her best friend and backup singer, Kisha Mitchell, died of breast cancer while pregnant. This tragedy triggered a deep depression for Mandisa, leading her to seek solace in food and isolate herself.
During this dark period, Mandisa battled shame and suicidal thoughts. She found herself consumed by grief and unable to cope with the immense pain.
Eventually, an intervention by her friends helped Mandisa begin her journey to recovery. She started addressing her emotional well-being and finding healthier ways to cope with her grief.
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