Lauren Bennett, Featured on LMFAO’s ‘Party Rock Anthem,’ Died by Suicide
The singer, who was also known for her work with the girl group G.R.L., died at age 36.
Singer Lauren Bennett, widely recognized for her feature on LMFAO’s 2011 hit “Party Rock Anthem,” died by suicide at the age of 36, according to reports.
Bennett’s death occurred on May 29 in her hometown of Meopham, Kent, England. Her cause of death was confirmed five months later, on October 30. The outlet TMZ reported that her body was discovered by her longtime partner, dancer Kenny Wormald, and her father, Richard Bennett.
Bennett was also a member of the girl group G.R.L., which formed in 2013. The group disbanded two years later following the death of member Simone Battle, who died by suicide at age 25 in September 2014. G.R.L. reunited in 2016 and continued performing before eventually disbanding again.
Bennett’s former bandmates Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton, and Paula van Oppen announced her death on Instagram on July 6, calling it a “great sadness.” They stated, “Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us. We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us.”
An investigation into Bennett’s death was opened on June 12, handled by the Kent and Medway Coroner Service. An inquest was scheduled for October 30. Authorities had reportedly believed that Bennett’s death was most likely a suicide.
Richard Bennett, Lauren’s father, paid tribute to his daughter, revealing that she had “experienced a severe reaction to a prescribed medication” months prior to her death, though he did not specify the drug. He also expressed disappointment with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), stating that medical professionals failed to treat her appropriately for five months leading up to her death.
“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 wrote in a July 7 Instagram post.
Bennett shared a 7-year-old daughter, Harlow, with Wormald. Her father stated that she was “deeply loved” and would be “missed every day for the rest of our lives,” adding, “I hope she will be remembered for her remarkable achievements, her beautiful music, and the incredible person she was. Her legacy lives on through her daughter, her family, and through the music she leaves behind.”