Six weeks after news of the death of Mandisa shocked the Christian music world, an autopsy report revealed the popular singer’s cause of death. The 47-year-old singer died of natural causes. The Grammy-winning American Idol finalist was found dead in her Tennessee home on April 18.
According to an autopsy report obtained by People magazine, Mandisa died of complications of class III obesity. Formerly known as morbid obesity, the condition involves having a body-mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher—or a BMI of 35+ in conjunction with obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
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The autopsy also indicated that Mandisa hadn’t been heard from for three weeks before friends found her body. The singer “was last known alive approximately three weeks” before her death was confirmed in April, the report stated.
Father: Mandisa’s Cause of Death Wasn’t Self-Inflicted
At the singer’s April 27 memorial service, her father, John Hundley, said his daughter had recently been ill with COVID-19 and had been weak but trying to recover. Describing the scene in Mandisa’s bedroom where her body was found, he said it looked like she had fallen and was unable to reach her phone. She “did not harm herself,” Hundley said. “Mandisa loved the Lord, and the Lord loved Mandisa.”
Police had already ruled out foul play in Mandisa’s death. Because the singer had been open about previous struggles with depression, her death had led to speculation about suicide.
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In 2017, Mandisa admitted she had almost taken her own life—until God stepped in to save it. Her best friend and backup singer died of cancer in 2014, which led Mandisa to “a deep pit of depression.” It also resulted in her gaining weight and becoming reclusive.
Mandisa said mental health struggles caused her to feel “so miserable” and “so hopeless” that she considered suicide so she “could be in heaven right now with Jesus.”
Friends encouraged Mandisa to seek counseling, which helped her process grief. Her 2017 album and 2022 memoir, both titled “Out of the Dark,” explored themes from that difficult time.
Mandisa Was Christian Music’s ‘No. 1 Cheerleader’
During season five of “American Idol” in 2006, Mandisa finished in the top nine. Her 2007 debut album, “True Beauty,” debuted atop Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. In 2014, Mandisa won the best contemporary Christian album Grammy for “Overcomer.”
During a live broadcast of “American Idol” on April 29, previous contestants paid tribute to Mandisa. Danny Gokey told ChurchLeaders the tribute was “a celebration of a life well lived and a race ran well.”
