Simone Battle Found Dead In Apparent Suicide, GRL Singer, ‘X Factor’ Star Mourned

Singer Simone Battle was found dead in her Los Angeles home Friday morning, a suspected suicide. Battle, 25, was best known for her work in the girl group G.R.L. and her Season 1 stint on the reality-TV competition series “The X Factor.”

Battle’s body was found by authorities at 8:30 a.m. Friday. TMZ reports that the singer was found “hanging on a rod in the closet of her bedroom.” An autopsy has yet to be completed.

Battle began her career on the U.S. version of “The X Factor” in 2011. She was mentored by the show’s long-standing judge and producer Simon Cowell and was a top 17 finalist, reports People magazine. Battle joined G.R.L., assembled by Pusscycat Dolls founder Robin Antin, in 2012. G.R.L.’s biggest hits to date include the singles “Ugly Heart“ and “Vacation.”

Battle’s family and colleagues publicly mourned the rising star Saturday. “She will be greatly missed and loved,” her father, Anthony E. Battle, told MailOnline. “She was an exuberant person and a very loved person.”

Antin, alongside Battle's record label, RCA Records, released a joint statement, calling the loss of the singer “tragic.” “Simone was an exceptional young talent and human being,” reads the statement. “We are all devastated to learn of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time.”

“Words cannot express the death of our loss,” reads a post on G.R.L.’S official Facebook page. “Simone’s incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart. We will carry her memory with us in everything we do.”

G.R.L. also includes singers Lauren Bennett, Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula van Oppen.