(CP) Police have provided an update on their investigation into the death of 47-year-old Christian artist Mandisa on April 18 as fellow musicians have reflected on the impact she had on their lives.
While no reason for death has been revealed, Franklin Police Department officials in Tennessee said Monday that no foul play is suspected.
“At this time, there is no such thing as a indication the death was the results of suspicious or criminal activity,” said police spokesperson Max Winitz in a statement. “The Franklin Police Department send its condolences to Hundley’s family, friends, and fans.”
In a social media post shortly after Hundley was found dead in her Franklin home on April 18, TobyMac (Toby McKeehan), who collaborated with the “American Idol” alum on several songs, including “Lose My Soul,” “Good Mornin'” and “Bleed the Same,” lamented the lack of a “beautiful soul.”
He remembered her as an “authentic” Christian who wasn’t afraid to share her battles with a watching world.
“I even have never met an artist who’s more encouraging and supportive to other artists than Mandisa,” he captioned a photograph of the 2 of them.
“She was honest and authentic but I at all times left her side feeling higher. She watched every act, every night on every tour singing together with a smile that made you are feeling alive. From ‘Lose My Soul’ to ‘Bleed the Same’ to ‘Good Mornin’ I used to be honored not only to collaborate along with her but to call her friend. She was honest about her struggles and viewed her break throughs as a possibility to let others know that they will experience victories similar to her. She saw us as a family. God’s family. In all our diversity. All flawed. And all in need of the love of a Good Father, a Heavenly Father.”
I do know her battle is over but I’ll at all times treasure her memory and that smile and infectious laugh that I had the pleasure of experiencing so often.”
The Christian radio station K-LOVE first reported Mandisa’s death in a press release on Friday.
“Mandisa loved Jesus, and she or he used her unusually extensive platform to discuss Him at every turn,” said K-LOVE Chief Media Officer David Pierce. “Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it surely was no match for the scale of her heart.”
In 2005, Hundley appeared on “American Idol” and advanced to the highest nine contestants. She released her first album, True Beauty in 2007 and debuted on the Top Christian Album charts along with her first single, “Only the World.”
Hundley won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Overcomer on the 56th Grammy Awards in 2014.
Over the years, the artist was open about her struggles with mental illness and depression. In a 2022 interview with The Christian Post, she said she began scuffling with depression and anxiety after one among her best friends died of breast cancer.
“I isolated myself, I didn’t need to discuss it, and I battled with the shame of feeling like I did not have enough faith or that God was displeased with me,” she recalled.
The singer said she modified her perspective after reading the Bible and discovering that “a whole lot of these people we examine wrestled with similar things.”
She cited as examples Elijah, “who one minute is looking down fire from the heavens and defeating the prophets of Baal, after which the following moment sitting by a tree and asking God to let him die,” and David, “who could be very honest throughout the Psalms in regards to the pain he felt internally, and he was someone God called a person after His own heart.”
Mandisa found comfort in Psalm 13:1-6, which asks, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me perpetually? How long will you hide your face from me?” At the identical time, the Bible verse declares, “my heart rejoices in your salvation,” and features a vow to “sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.”
Following the news of her death, several Christian singers and “American Idol” alumni who knew the late singer shared her positive impact on their lives.
“Mandisa’s smile was like turning on sunshine,” said singer-songwriter Amy Grant on Instagram.
“Broke my heart after I heard the news!” wrote singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. “She was truly a lady of religion. A shiny light that made such a strong imprint on this world. Rest in heaven, Mandisa!”
Fellow American Idol alumn Artist Danny Gokey said he’s “devastated.”
“Not only did we connect over being American Idol alumni — we had an incredible time on the road doing several tours together,” he wrote. “Her joy was infectious & I loved her heart to encourage people on & off stage! When I made my debut in Christian music she was my biggest supporter. It wasn’t easy coming off my first failed record deal after the show but she was the one who welcomed me first and loudest and rallied everyone to support me. Mandisa you left too soon — our community won’t ever be the identical without you.”
