The Voice 's Janice Freeman Cause of Death Confirmed as Pulmonary Embolism
Janice Freeman‘s cause of death has been confirmed.
The Voice contestant, who competed for Team Miley on the NBC series in 2017, died from a pulmonary embolism, according to her death certificate obtained by The Blast.
Freeman had also been living with lupus, an inflammatory disease that causes the immune system to attack its own tissues, which was listed as a contributing factor in her death, the outlet reported.
On March 2, Freeman’s team announced the singer had died at age 33 in a statement posted to her Instagram account. At the time, her team said she died from complications due to pneumonia and a blood clot.
“We are heartbroken to report that Janice Marie Freeman passed away on March 2, 2019 from an extreme case of pneumonia and a blood clot that traveled to her heart,” the statement read. “While at home her husband Dion performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. She passed away at a local hospital shortly after.”
The statement continued, “A survivor and fighter, and a beautiful force in this world, Janice gained notoriety through her success on NBC’s The Voice as a member of Miley Cyrus’ team. Her story inspired fans nationwide, having successfully battled cervical cancer and living her life to the fullest while fighting lupus. Her friends and family greatly appreciate your prayers, calls, and texts during this time, and ask that they be given space to remember everything that Janice was to them as they process and mourn her loss.”
The singer rose to fame on season 13 of the popular competition series, where she was recruited for coach Miley Cyrus‘ team and made it to the Top 11.
Her biography from her time on the show said Freeman’s goal in achieving a successful music career was to “provide stability” for her daughter Hannah. It also focused on her recovery from a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2012.
Following the news of her death, Cyrus, 26, remembered the superstar standout, who “found the good in everything.”
“I miss you so much it hurts. Everywhere ….. but so did you. So often. So much pain and no one would ever notice because of the smile and joy you constantly radiated,” she began an Instagram post on March 4. “I am trying my best today to celebrate your existence but I can’t help but just deeply mourn over your absence. All those texts I would receive, just of you telling me that you’re praying for ME. How you were so selfless I’ll never understand. The way you found the good in everything. You are now a rainbow. Something beautiful that comes after something so gloomy.”
RELATED: The Voice Contestant Janice Freeman Reveals Miley Cyrus Helped Her Family in a Big Way
Cyrus added about Freeman’s great talent: “You were the only artist EVER, that I tried so hard to ‘sign,’ was going to create a label just so YOU could be on it. No one has heard them and I hope to share at an appropriate time, but the records you were creating with @brandicarlile (where it all began, the story) and my dear writer friend @ilsey were so magically beautiful JUST LIKE YOU.”
She continued, “Today we lost a legend. Do you hear me. Everyone got it so wrong on our season together of The Voice because no matter what has been recorded or remembered YOU won my angel. You are not only the best singer that show has ever had the honor of having on that stage but the best f—ing singer in the world. What makes me sick is we always wait till the best are gone to recognize them and truly tell them what their art meant to us. The hope their voice gave us …. the emotions they pulled from us.”
RELATED VIDEO: The Voice: Battle Advisors Sneak Peek
“Janice you’re my star! I will never give up on you. Ever. I am no longer your coach, I never was ….. YOU constantly taught me. You’ve been my coach on how to love, on how to persevere, on how to fight for what I want and never let even my own body get in the way,” Cyrus concluded. “Anything is possible if it’s being done with faith. You are my world. I will never forget you or stop loving you. I am forever yours, Miley.”
The pair shared a close bond that lasted after Freeman left the show, as she revealed on Twitter in January 2018 that the “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” singer even helped cover her housing bills for six months.
RELATED: Miley Cyrus Pays Tribute to Janice Freeman: ‘I Will Never Forget You or Stop Loving You’
Cyrus also performed with her father Billy Ray Cyrus at Freeman’s memorial earlier this week. The singer took the stage on Monday to deliver a tribute speech about her friend before joining in on a soulful country rendition of “Amazing Grace” with her dad.
“Before we sing this song for Janice, I just want to clear up a rumor,” Cyrus said in her speech. “I was never her coach, ever. She was always mine.”
After eliciting laughter from the audience, she continued her tearful tribute. “I’ve learned more from her than anyone that I’ve ever gotten the honor to be in the room with, not just vocally — I should’ve gotten more lessons than I did — but she taught me everything that I know about love,” Cyrus said.
“I’ll always be your sister, I’m here for you, and I’m here for your family, and Janice I’ll miss you more than I could ever say,” she finished.
Freeman is survived by her husband Dion, daughter Hannah and mother Janice.
