The singer whose voice helped soundtrack one of the biggest party anthems of all time had been enduring months of psychological suffering before her death, an inquest has revealed.
Lauren Bennett, best known for her vocals on LMFAO’s global smash Party Rock Anthem, died by suicide aged 36, according to findings delivered at Kent and Medway Coroners’ Court on Friday.
The former G.R.L. singer was found dead in woodland near her home in Meopham, Kent, on May 29, five months before the inquest established the circumstances of her death.
Bennett had told her longtime partner, dancer and actor Kenny Wormald, that she was going for a walk at about 9am.
When she failed to return and stopped responding to calls and messages, Wormald and her father, Richard Bennett, used a phone-location feature to track her down.
They found her body in nearby woodland.
Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill told the hearing Bennett had experienced a serious mental health crisis in January and had been detained in hospital for several days because of what was described as “substantial psychological suffering”.
She had continued to struggle in the months that followed and was receiving specialist mental health care at the time of her death.
The inquest heard she continued to report distress about the effects of prescribed medication and had met with mental health services just days before she died.
No alcohol or illicit drugs were found in her system, according to evidence reported from the hearing.
The findings come after Bennett’s father publicly criticised the medical treatment his daughter received in the months before her death.
In July, Richard paid tribute to his “beautiful and talented daughter”, revealing she had suffered a severe reaction to prescribed medication.
He also accused medical professionals and the UK’s National Health Service of failing to provide appropriate treatment during the five months before her death.
“As a family, we all rallied around her and did everything we could to support her,” he wrote on Instagram.
“We have no suspicions regarding the circumstances of her death, only deep disappointment that, for five months, medical professionals and NHS services failed to treat her appropriately during her time of greatest need.”
He described Lauren as “the love of my life and my pride and joy”, adding that she would be missed every day.
Bennett’s death was first announced by her former G.R.L. bandmates in an emotional Instagram tribute on July 6.
“Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us,” Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula van Oppen wrote.
“We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us.
“Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved. Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”
Bennett began her music career as a teenager, signing a record deal at 17 before moving to the United States.
She first found success with girl group Paradiso Girls before joining G.R.L., which went on to score hits including Ugly Heart.
But it was her contribution to LMFAO’s 2011 dance anthem Party Rock Anthem that brought her international recognition.
The song topped charts around the world and became one of the defining party tracks of the decade.
Bennett also worked with artists including Pitbull, will.i.am and CeeLo Green.
She leaves behind her seven-year-old daughter, Harlow, whom she shared with Wormald, and a family who had pleaded for her to be remembered for her music and achievements.
