Mandisa, the Grammy-winning artist who rose to fame on season 5 of American Idol, passed away in April at the age of 47. According to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE, her death was caused by complications of Class III obesity.
Friends discovered Mandisa’s body in her Nashville home after she had been out of contact for roughly three weeks. Her death was deemed natural.
Class III obesity, or morbid obesity, is defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher and is associated with severe health risks, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers.
After her American Idol success, Mandisa’s music career flourished. Her debut album, True Beauty, received a Grammy nomination and topped the Billboard Christian Albums chart. She released five more albums, winning a Grammy for her 2013 album Overcomer.
Mandisa’s personal life was marked by hardship, particularly after the 2014 death of her best friend and backup singer, Kisha Mitchell, from breast cancer. This loss plunged Mandisa into deep depression, leading her to overeat and withdraw from those around her.
During this difficult period, Mandisa struggled with shame and suicidal thoughts. Friends eventually intervened, helping her start the path to recovery by addressing her emotional pain and finding healthier coping mechanisms.
