Lauren Bennett inquest: Party Rock Anthem singer, 36, was under mental health care after January crisis

The Lauren Bennett inquest has heard that the British singer, who featured on LMFAO’s global hit Party Rock Anthem, was in the care of specialist mental health services and had been in “substantial psychological suffering” for months before her death. Kent and Medway Coroners’ Court in Maidstone concluded on Friday that the 36-year-old took her own life.

Bennett, also a member of the girl group G.R.L, was found dead in Kent on 29 May. Her death was announced publicly in July by her former bandmates, who said their “hearts are broken” and remembered her as a “beautiful spirit” who would be “deeply missed”.

What the Lauren Bennett inquest heard about her final months

Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill told the court that Bennett’s difficulties intensified in January 2026. After going several days without sleep, she was admitted to hospital under a mental health section. Gill said she had experienced “substantial psychological suffering” from that point on, describing it as an “ongoing struggle”.

The court heard Bennett was receiving care from “special mental health services” at the time of her death and had met with them in the days beforehand. She had continued to report distress over the effects of her prescribed medication, and the court was told she reacted poorly to it and did not believe she would get better. Toxicology found no alcohol or illicit drugs in her system.

Statements read to the hearing also indicated that Bennett had been diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause anxiety, mood instability and depression.

The morning of her death

Her husband, the professional dancer and choreographer Kenny Wormald, gave a statement saying she had been struggling with severe mental health issues. He told police he was still half asleep when she left their home in Meopham at around 9am, saying she was going for a walk. When she had not returned after a few hours, and neither he nor several other relatives could reach her by phone or text, he and her father went to look for her.

Using a phone-tracking feature, Wormald located her in a rural, wooded area near the family home. Reports differ slightly on the detail, but one account put the spot about a 15-minute walk from the house. Wormald said the couple talked about everything and that there had been no sign she intended to end her life. The court heard that pages of farewell notes were later found at her home.

A career that began at 17

Her father, Richard Bennett, described in a statement a daughter who lived an “amazing life”. She signed a record deal at 17 and moved to the United States alone. Her first success came with the girl group Paradiso Girls, whose 2009 single Patron Tequila, featuring Lil Jon, charted in the US and Canada.

Party Rock Anthem followed in 2011. It topped charts in the UK, US, Canada, Ireland and Australia, spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been ranked by Billboard as the fifth most successful song of all time. Its video, in which Bennett appeared, has more than 2.5 billion YouTube views.

She joined G.R.L in 2013, the group formed by producer Robin Antin. It disbanded after the death of bandmate Simone Battle, but Bennett returned when it reunited with new line-ups in 2016 and again in 2020. She toured the US twice, met Wormald there, and the couple opened a dance studio in Los Angeles before returning to the UK.

Her brother, step-brother and sister-in-law attended the hearing. Taken together, the Lauren Bennett inquest paints a picture of a sudden and severe decline in her mental health that persisted despite specialist care, and of a family who say they saw no warning on the day.

If you are struggling to cope, the Samaritans offer confidential support free on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or at samaritans.org. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Elsewhere, befrienders.org lists helplines worldwide.

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