Mandisa's Father Reveals Daughter's Cause of Death

Mandisa's father, John Hundley, shares his thoughts on the cause of her untimely death, dismissing rumors of self-harm and suggesting an accidental fall.

Nearly two weeks after the tragic passing of "American Idol" alum Mandisa, her father, John Hundley, is shedding light on the investigation into his daughter's death. Hundley firmly believes that Mandisa did not harm herself, as indicated by the absence of any signs or evidence.

"I believe firmly that the detective believes and knows that she did not [harm herself]," Hundley told Fox News Digital. "They talked about the scars, any type of bruises that may have been on her body. They looked for signs that she may have harmed herself, and there were no signs to indicate that she did anything to harm herself."

The Franklin Police Department's Max Wintz confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and the Franklin County Medical Examiner has yet to provide further comment.

Hundley shared his suspicions about Mandisa's death during a memorial service last weekend. He believes she may have fallen in her bedroom and been unable to call for help due to her physical condition.

"But here's what I think happened," he said. "Mandisa fell down in her bedroom. They found her on the floor. If you look from the rear of her bed, she was laying on the left side. It’s clear that's where she was laying, there was a couple of big rugs there and some clothes. On the right side of the bed, front, was this nightstand. I found her phone on the right side of the bed. There was no way for Mandisa to get around the bed, go out there and get a phone to call for help."

Hundley's remarks have sparked mixed reactions, but he insists he is coping with his grief in a way that Mandisa would have wanted.

"I believe that she’s happy, and I’m trying to be happy like she would be," he said. "I have forced myself to be happy and not cry. I made the wrong statement at the homegoing service. I said, ‘I know men aren’t supposed to cry.’ I know that that’s a belief that some people have. I don’t know if men are not supposed to cry because I cry all the time."

On Monday's episode of "American Idol," former contestants Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon, and Danny Gokey paid tribute to Mandisa with a moving performance of "Shackles." The tribute left fans deeply touched and emotional.

"Wow. That was so powerful!! So beautiful. What a praiseworthy tribute to Mandisa," commented Candace Cameron Bure on Instagram.

Mandisa's legacy as a talented singer and inspiration to many lives on. Her struggles with weight and trauma were documented in her autobiography, "Out of the Dark." In her own words, "My dream is that this book will be a tool used in living rooms and coffee shops all over the world to help prompt discussions about our mental health."

Mandisa's death has left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the broader music community. Her father's insights and the outpouring of love and support from her peers serve as a testament to her indomitable spirit and the lasting mark she has left on the world.