Inquest finds Party Rock Anthem singer Lauren Bennett took her own life

An inquest in Kent, England, has concluded that British singer Lauren Bennett, a member of the girl group G.R.L., took her own life at the age of 36. She also featured on LMFAO's 2011 hit Party Rock Anthem, a song by the US duo. She was found dead in Kent on 29 May, and the hearing set out the circumstances and the health difficulties she faced beforehand.

The day she died

Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill read out a statement from Bennett's husband, professional dancer Kenny Wormald. He said she had been struggling with severe mental health issues. On the morning of her death she told him she was going for a walk. When she failed to return for several hours and did not answer calls or texts, Wormald and her father went to look for her. Using a phone-tracking feature, they located her in a rural spot. Wormald said the couple talked about everything and there had been no sign of what was to come.

Health background

The court heard Bennett had been diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder that can cause anxiety, mood instability and depression. In January she went without sleep for several days and was admitted to hospital under a mental health section. Gill noted she had experienced "substantial psychological suffering" since then. At the time of her death she was under the care of specialist mental health services, had reacted badly to medication and did not believe she would recover. Farewell notes were later found at her home. No alcohol or illicit drugs were found in her system.

Tributes

Her father, Richard Bennett, described an "amazing life": a record deal at 17 and a move to the US alone. G.R.L. announced her death on Instagram in July. Aria Crescendo, who performed with her in Paradiso Girls, told the BBC she was in shock.