Simone Battle Apparent Suicide: Father In Disbelief After GRL Singer's Death

Simone Battle’s father is shocked after the former contestant on “The X Factor” died of an apparent suicide, TMZ wrote. The 25-year-old singer reportedly texted her father regularly and did not show signs of depression. Simone’s boyfriend found her dead in her Los Angeles home “hanging on a rod in the closet of her bedroom” Friday.

“It’s possible she may have had an invisible disability,” her father Anthony Battle told TMZ, when asked whether Battle struggled with depression. Her father said Battle appeared happy with her burgeoning music career. The G.R.L. singer recorded and released the song “Wild Wild Love” with bandmate Natasha Slayton and Pitbull this year.

Simon Cowell, who mentored Battle on “The X Factor,” tweeted his condolences after he learned of her death:

Paula Abdul, a former judge on “The X Factor,” also sent a message, as did Cheryl Cole and “The X Factor’s” official Twitter account:

Battle joined G.R.L., launched by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin, in 2012. Their hits include the singles “Ugly Heart“ and “Vacation.”

“Simone was an exceptional young talent and human being,” Antin, Reign Deer Entertainment, Kemosabe Records and RCA Records said in a joint statement cited by Reuters. “We are all devastated to learn of her passing.”

Friends of the singer said they texted her the night before she died and things seemed fine then, TMZ said. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday. Foul play is reportedly not suspected.

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