An inquest in Kent has concluded that Lauren Bennett, a 36‑year‑old British singer best known for her role in the girl group G.R.L. and for featuring on LMFAO’s 2011 hit Party Rock Anthem, took her own life. She was discovered dead on 29 May in a rural part of Kent after a search prompted by her husband, Kenny Wormald, who located her using the Find My iPhone function on her phone. The coroner’s assistant recorded that Bennett had been battling severe mental health challenges in the months leading up to her death.
A Sudden Loss
Wormald told the court that on the morning of 29 May, Bennett announced she was going for a walk while he remained half‑asleep in bed. When she failed to return after several hours and did not answer calls or texts from him, her father, Richard Bennett, and other relatives began searching. Using the location data from her phone, they found her body in a secluded area. The inquest heard that there were no prior indications of suicidal intent and that she had spoken openly with her husband about their lives.
Pages of farewell notes were later discovered at her home.
Health Challenges and Care
Bennett was diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that can lead to anxiety, mood swings and depression. In the January preceding her death she experienced insomnia for several consecutive nights and was admitted to hospital under mental health provisions. Since that admission she reported persistent psychological distress and struggled to respond to prescribed medication, believing she would not recover. At the time of her death she was under the care of specialist mental health services, which noted her poor tolerance of treatment and her hopeless outlook.
Career Highlights
Bennett signed a record deal at the age of 17 and moved to the United States on her own, eventually joining G.R.L., which achieved worldwide success with Party Rock Anthem. The single spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011 and was later listed as the fifth‑most successful song of all time. Its official video has amassed more than 2.5 billion views on YouTube. Prior to G.R.L. she performed with the Paradiso Girls and contributed to the group’s repertoire.
Why it Matters
Bennett’s death shines a stark light on the hidden battles many face while in the public eye and underscores the urgent need for better mental‑health support, especially for those living with conditions such as Fragile X. It reminds society that fame does not shield individuals from profound psychological suffering, and it calls for greater awareness, early intervention and accessible care to prevent similar tragedies.
