G.R.L. Member Simone Battle Dies at 25

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Singer Simone Battle, of G.R.L., leaves the Good Morning America taping at the ABC Times Square Studios on August 20, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Singer Simone Battle, of G.R.L., leaves the Good Morning America taping at the ABC Times Square Studios on August 20, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images)

Simone Battle, a member of the female singing group G.R.L., has died at 25, a spokesperson for the group has confirmed to Yahoo Music. G.R.L. is featured on Pitbull's single "Wild Wild Love" and performed their own song "Ugly Heart" on Good Morning America in August. Though the Los Angeles Department of Coroners told Yahoo Music that the cause of death has not been released, TMZ reports that the death is believed to be the result of suicide.

According to TMZ, law enforcement sources said Battle's body was found around 8:30 a.m. Friday, hanging in a closet in her bedroom of her Los Angeles home. Her father reportedly found her body.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of Simone Battle of G.R.L. 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,” reads the statement from Reign Deer Entertainment, Robin Antin, Kemosabe Records, and RCA Records.

The surviving members of G.R.L. expressed their saddess for Battle's loss via Twitter:

Pitbull also conveyed his condolences:

Derek Butler revealed the news of Battle's death in a post on his Instagram page Saturday morning. "I'm still in shock and in disbelief to have confirmed the death of my childhood friend @SimoneBattle," he wrote. "Her heart was pure gold and her star power limitless. Rest in sweet peace Angel."

[Related: There's No 'I' in G.R.L.: Meet Pop's E-gal-itarian New Girl Group]

Prior to joining G.R.L., Battle was a finalist on the first season of The X Factor in 2011. During an interview with Yahoo Music in May, Battle recalled how being on the show led to her being discovered by G.R.L.'s producers.
 
"It was actually on the show that Robin Antin and Mikey Minden saw me and they were like, 'We really like this girl. We got to track her down,'" Battle said. "And they tracked me down, and I got a phone call one day. I was performing at a nightclub in West Hollywood, and they were like 'This is Robin Antin and Mikey Minden, and we're looking for a talented singer.' I was like, 'What? Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin?' So it's really cool to have gone through that experience, and maybe it's the reason why I'm here with G.R.L."

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