British singer and former G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett died by suicide at age 36 in Kent on May 29, an inquest held on October 30 has determined. Her husband found her in woodland near Meopham after she left for a morning walk, following an ongoing struggle with her mental health.
Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill formally recorded a conclusion of suicide at the Kent and Medway Coroners’ Court in Maidstone. Family members, including the musician’s brother, step-brother, and sister-in-law, gathered to examine the circumstances. Gill noted that the performer had been experiencing substantial psychological distress earlier in the year.
Bennett Rose to Fame with Pop Groups
Bennett first entered the public eye as a teenager auditioning for The X Factor. She relocated to Los Angeles at age 17 to join the pop group Paradiso Girls. That ensemble released the single Patron Tequila featuring Lil Jon and Eve, which climbed to Number Three on the US dance club songs chart in 2009. Her father noted that she had a very special gift and had performed since she was 12 years old.
Her most widely recognized musical contribution arrived in 2011. She provided vocals alongside GoonRock for LMFAO’s hit single Party Rock Anthem. Its accompanying music video amassed more than 2.5 billion views on YouTube.
G.R.L. disbanded after bandmate Simone Battle’s death by suicide in 2014. Bennett returned as part of new line-ups in 2016 and again in 2020. She met her American husband, Kenny Wormald, while touring in America. Together they opened a dance studio in Los Angeles.
Inquest Findings on Mental Health
Bennett had been living in Los Angeles with Wormald, a reality television star and actor whom she married in 2019, before they both moved back to Kent.
Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill noted that Bennett was in the care of special mental health services at the time of her death. She continued to report symptoms of distress regarding the effects of prescribed medication, and did not think she was going to get better. Nothing of toxicological note was found in her system.
Pages of farewell notes were later found at her home.
Family Statements and Tributes
We have no suspicions regarding the circumstances of her death. Only deep disappointment that, for five months, medical professionals failed to treat her appropriately during her time of greatest need.
Richard Bennett
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren. Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us.
G.R.L. members
They concluded their message by sharing that they will cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave them.