Mandisa, a Grammy-winning gospel singer, died of symptoms from class III obesity, according to an autopsy.
On April 18, the celebrity who rose to stardom on season five of “American Idol” was discovered dead at her home in Franklin, near Nashville, Tennessee. She was 47.
The Nashville medical examiner’s office informed NBC News on Wednesday that her cause of death was natural.
According to The Cleveland Clinic, Class III obesity occurs when a person has a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher while suffering from obesity-related health issues. Class III obesity “can contribute to the development of several serious health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” according to the clinic.
The artist, whose full name is Mandisa Lynn Hundley, is originally from California. She grew up singing in church before going on to study vocal performance at American River College in California and Fisk University in Nashville, according to her record label description.
She went on to perform as a backup vocalist for artists before competing on “American Idol” and finishing ninth.
In 2014, the artist received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her album “Overcomer.”
Mandisa has been open about her health and weight issues.
In 2017, she told “Good Morning America” about a terrible depression she had in 2014 and how she nearly killed herself after the death of a close friend.
In such a state, she turned to emotional food and isolation.
“Emotional eating is what I have done my entire life,” she explained. “After losing over 120 pounds, which I discussed for the first time here, I regained it all plus 75 more. I fell into the worst depression of my life after Kisha died.”
She said her friends eventually intervened, and she was able to receive help.