Lauren Bennett, the singer whose voice powered the hook on LMFAO’s 2011 hit“Party Rock Anthem,”died by suicide at age 36, an assistant coroner at Medway Coroners’Court ruled on Friday. The inquest heard that Bennett told her partner, Kenny Wormald, she was going for a walk on May 29 and never returned; he and her father tracked her phone to nearby woodland, where she was found.
The court was told Bennett had been involuntarily hospitalized in January for“substantial psychological suffering”and had been diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder linked to anxiety and learning disabilities. Her father, Richard Bennett, described her as“creative, talented, funny, and as humble as she was beautiful,”and alleged that medical professionals and NHS services failed to treat her, including what he said was a severe reaction to prescribed medication.
Beyond“Party Rock Anthem,”Bennett was a member of G.R.L., whose song“Ugly Heart”became a pop staple, and her death marks the second devastating loss for the group after Simone Battle in 2014. If you’re struggling, call or text 988, free and confidential, 24/7. How will you be remembering Lauren Bennett’s voice this week?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.