Simone Battle, of the group G.R.L was found dead in her Los Angeles home Friday morning (Sept. 5), her label confirmed. Battle reportedly committed suicide.
The 25-year-old was a 2011 contestant of the now canceled show, X Factor, before joining G.R.L. last year. The group is the brainchild of Pussycat Dolls creator, Robin Antin.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of Simone Battle of G.R.L,” the joint statement from Reign Deer Entertainment, Kemosabe Records,RCA Records,  and Antin reads. “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.”
Battle’s body was discovered by her boyfriend, hanging from a curtain rod in her closet.
Her father, Anthony Battle, is understandably shocked by the suicide, as he never saw signs of depression.
Reports TMZ:
Former “X Factor” contestant Simone Battle’s suicide has stunned her father … who says the “G.R.L.” singer never once let on that she was suffering as she got a taste of success in Hollywood.
Anthony Battle tells us he and his daughter hadn’t spoke on the phone in a few weeks … but they texted every day and she seemed to be doing just fine.
In fact, he says Simone was excited about where her career was heading. G.R.L. had recorded and released a song with Pitbull earlier this year.
We’re told close friends of the 25-year old singer spoke with her via text the night before her death — they also didn’t sense anything was wrong.
When we asked Anthony if Simone was battling depression … he said he was unaware of anything like that, but acknowledged … “It’s possible she may have had an invisible disability.”
Her group members tweeted the following message this morning: “Words cannot express the depth of our loss. Simone’s incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart. We will carry her memory with us in everything we do.
Prior to her death, Battle had participated in the #100HappyDays social media challenge.
See photos of the beauty below.
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Photos: Instagram
