The cause of Grammy Award-winning singer Mandisa’s death was revealed on Tuesday, seven weeks after her death. Mandisa Lynn Handley was found dead in her home on April 18, sparking rumors but her father told the crowd at her funeral that “she did not harm herself.” The official cause of death was released on Tuesday, revealing that Mandisa died from complications of Class III obesity. The Tennessean Coroner Dr. Feng Li reported that she died of natural causes. Cleveland ClinicObesity is a “complex chronic disease characterized by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above, or a BMI of 35 or above and experiencing obesity-related health conditions.”
Mandisa passed away at the age of 47. She was known for positive, upbeat songs such as: Overcomer and Strongerbecame a life anthem for her fans.
The K-Love Fan Awards aired a special tribute to her and another CCM artist, Gabe Pattillo, last week, which was introduced by Colton Dixon and Danny Gokey.
In 2022 she published a book. Coming Out of the Darkness: A Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s JoyIn “The 1970s,” she spoke about her struggle with depression. She also Out of the Dark Podcast with Mandisa and Laura WilliamsHer open struggles with depression led to rumors that she died of a self-inflicted injury, but her father denied these rumors.
“Mandisa loved the Lord and the Lord loved her,” Mandisa’s father, John Handley, said during an April service at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee.
In 2022, she told Crosswalk Headlines that she had written a book. Out of the DarknessI hope it will spark more open discussion about mental health among Christians.
“After all,” she said.Psalm 40:3 My prayer for this book is that when many hear what God has done, they will be amazed and will place their hope in God. By reading this book, others will be encouraged to walk their mental health journey because many others are on the same path. I hope this book gives people the courage to walk with God and not try to do it alone.”
Her lively demeanor and commanding singing voice made her the standout performer in the 2006 edition of American IdolShe then ventured into the world of contemporary Christian music. Her debut album, True Beautylike her previous two albums, rocketed to No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. Overcomer and Out of the Darkness.
“She loved the Bible and worshipped with all her heart,” said Sydney Simmons, a friend who toured with Mandisa as a dancer. “She was passionate about unity and was very conscious of diversity.”
During the funeral, author and speaker Beth Moore joked that Mandisa “hit a note so high that it gave us all a nosebleed,” which Mandisa sang during the Living Proof conference where Moore spoke.
“Every word she sang and every word she spoke touched the hearts of the audience. She loved Jesus and she loved him in a way that made everyone around her want to love him,” Moore said. “We saw her life and her love for Jesus. We witnessed her worship when no one was watching. We saw her dance before the Lord in the event center and at the back of the chapel.”
Her father said his daughter’s favorite song was We share the same bloodThe lyrics are “a call to you and me, to all Americans, to come together and get along,” he said.
Mandisa won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Overcomer.
Related: 4 things Mandisa reveals about her struggle with depression in her book, ‘Out of the Dark’
Photo credit: ©KLove Books
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
