American Idol alum Mandisa’s cause of death will take months to solve
American Idol season 5 alum Mandisa died last month and now, authorities say that the cause of her death could take months to solve. Mandisa was found dead in her Tennessee home on April 18 at age 47.
The Tennessean has filed a public records request with the medical examiner’s office, for documents related to the singer’s autopsy. The Tennessee Department of Health responded stating that a complete autopsy report would be released in the next 60-90 days. The Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office said Monday they do not release preliminary reports.
Max Winitz, a spokesperson for Franklin Police Department, told the outlet that the investigation into Mandisa’s death remains open.
Mandisa’s father, John Hundley reveals the singer had been ‘weak’ recovering from COVID-19
Meanwhile after a celebration of life ceremony that took place in Brentwood on Saturday, Mandisa’s father, John Hundley according to WKRN News 2, announced to the congregation at Brentwood Baptist Church that he does not believe Mandisa’s death was the result of self-harm.
“She told me some time ago that she had gotten COVID-19, and she had been weak trying to get over that, but she was trying to press through,” Hundley explained.
Hundley said Mandisa’s body was found lying on the floor with her phone on the other side of the room, making it impossible for her to call for help.
He told News 2 that his last conversation with Mandisa was on Easter Sunday: “She bought me this phone she wanted me to have so that I make sure that we can communicate on a regular basis, and so we did. She texted to say, ‘He is risen,’ and that she was happy, and she talked on and on about that.”
American Idol alum came together to celebrate Mandisa’s life
During Monday’s (April 29) American Idol episode, three of Mandisa’s American Idol friends came together to sing “Shackles” by Mary Mary, a song she performed on the show. Melinda Doolittle, (Season 6), Danny Gokey (Season 8) and Colton Dixon (Season 10 and 11) came together to perform a rousing, joyous and spiritual rendition of the song.
Melinda shared about her profound connection to Mandisa. “I’ve known her for over 20 years since we started off singing background and sessions together,” she said. “Then she got on Idol and I cheered for her, and then I came the next season, and she cheered for me. That is my girl through and through.”
Danny added, “One of the things that sticks out to me is that she was a fan of people. She was a cheerleader for other people’s music.” He shared how she supported him through a difficult time, “I remember when I got dropped from a record label and resigned to a new one, was transitioning, she had the biggest voice for me and she made a way for me…my biggest cheerleader.”
Colton believes that “Shackles” sums up Mandisa’s life. “I think she came in prasin’, I think she left praisin’. We’re going to miss her, but our loss is heaven’s gain.”
