Photo: WENN
Members of the pop group G.R.L. have paid tribute to bandmate Simone Battle after she was found dead in her home on Friday (5 September) aged 25.
News of the singer's death was confirmed in a joint statement from Reign Deer Entertainment, Robin Antin, Kemosabe Records, and RCA Records. Law enforcement sources reportedly told TMZ that the singer was found hanging in an apparent suicide.
Since news of Battle's death was revealed yesterday, many have paid tribute to her, including two of her G.R.L. bandmates. The band were on course this week to reach the top ten with debut single 'Ugly Heart.'
Natasha Slayton posted a statement on Instagram which said: "I am inexplicably heartbroken and overcome with sadness over the loss of our best friend and sister, Simone Battle." She added: "Simone, I will never understand why you left the way you did, but I will forever love you."
Lauren Bennett also posted a short tribute on her Instagram account, which said: "We were supposed to conquer together... we were a team, it wasn't supposed to be this way. We all worked so hard together, united like family for this dream we all shared. Things will never be the same without her."
Battle first appeared on the US version of the X Factor in 2011, before Antin (creator of the Pussycat Dolls), asked her to join new band G.R.L. in 2013.
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, the Samaritans' number is 08457 90 90 90.
