(LibertySociety.com) – Family, friends, and fans are mourning after learning of the death of gospel singer Mandisa. Her body was discovered at her Nashville-area home on the evening of April 18. Investigators initially did not provide any details about the cause of death.
On April 21, the Franklin Police Department provided an update on X, formerly Twitter, writing that they had not found anything that would lead them to believe that her death “was the result of suspicious or criminal activity. While it is unknown if an autopsy was conducted, the medical examiner likely did a toxicology panel, which could take several weeks to complete.
Mandisa rose to fame after competing on “American Idol” in 2006, the show’s fifth season. She was eliminated after making it to the top nine. She released her first full album the following year, naming it after her experience with American Idol judge Simon Cowell. During her audition for the show, Cowell commented on her weight. She eventually confronted the veteran judge about his remarks but said that she forgave him although he never apologized. She told Cowell that she figured “if Jesus could die” to forgive the wrongs she had committed, she could “certainly extend that same grace” to him.
Mandisa’s album was called “True Beauty,” and earned the number 43 spot on the Billboard 200 upon its release, as well as a best pop/contemporary gospel album Grammy nomination. In 2010, her album “Freedom” earned her another Grammy nomination in the same category. In 2012, her album “What If We Were Real” led to a nomination for best contemporary Christian album. She finally won the award in 2014 for her “Overcomer” album. However, she missed the ceremony. She posted an explanation to her website the following day, indicating that she was going through spiritual struggles.
Mandisa lost a friend to cancer in the same year, which she said caused her to question her faith, while also facing mental health issues. She also wrote a memoir about the development of her relationship with God.
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