Former X-Factor contestant Simone Battle was found hanging in her West Hollywood apartment over the weekend.
The Los Angeles coroner ruled the 25-year-old singer’s death a suicide by hanging, reports PEOPLE.
Battle came to fame as a contestant on the singing competition in 2011, and later as a part of the five-member girl group G.R.L., who were billed as the next Pussycat Dolls. The group released their debut single, “Ugly Heart,” in July and had enjoyed a fair amount of success for featuring on rapper Pitbull’s song, “Wild Wild Love.”
“Simone was an exceptional young talent and human being, and we are all devastated to learn of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time,” said a statement from RCA Records, the group’s record company.
Battle grew up in Los Angeles, singing in her local church. Whitney Houston inspired her “dream to be a singer,” she said on the group’s official biography.