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The future was bright for girlband G.R.L. in September of last year. Their debut single Ugly Heart had just hit Europe's top ten, after a great start in the US and Australian charts too.

However when the news emerged that one of the band's five members, Simone Battle, had been found dead in her West Hollywood apartment, the group's remaining four members struggled to cope.

Now, almost a year on, the band have announced they are splitting for good.

"Nearly 9 months following the tragic death of band member Simone Battle, girl group G.R.L. announces today that they are disbanding," the girls' record label said in a statement via Billboard. "We wish them continued success in each of their next creative endeavours."

Simone's untimely death by suicide not only shook her bandmates Emmalyn Estrada, Lauren Bennett, Paula Van Oppen and Natasha Slayton, but the music industry as a whole.

Simon Cowell was just one of the many people who took to social media to pay tribute to the 25-year-old singer when news of her death emerged.

"I am so sad to hear about the news Simone Battle has passed away. She was such a fun nice person. It's such a loss. Rest in peace Simone," he wrote on Twitter at the time, having met Simone when she competed in the US X Factor in 2011.

Earlier this year, the band said they were determined to carry on making music out of respect for their late bandmate.

"I think it would be the wrong message for the band to give up now, especially to people who are suffering from something like this. You have to be strong and move forward no matter what happens in your life," Lauren Bennett told The Sun, adding that Simone's mum had given them her blessing to move on with their music.

Depsite their good intentions, G.R.L.'s most recent single, Lighthouse, did not live up to the commercial expectations set by Ugly Heart, and  peaked at number 59 in the Irish charts.

It's unclear why the band have split – or if it's even their choice – but we are certainly sad to see them go.

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Girlband G.R.L. have spoken out about the tragic loss of their friend and fellow band member Simone Battle.

The singer's body was discovered in her West Hollywood apartment last September, and the cause of death was later revealed to be suicide. The tragedy occurred just one day before the band's breakout hit Ugly Heart began to storm Europe's top ten.

G.R.L's other four members – Lauren Bennett, Paula Van Oppen, Natasha Slayton and Emmalyn Estrada – faced a tough decision over whether to quit or keep going without Simone, but they revealed they felt they had to go on.

"I think it would be the wrong message for the band to give up now, especially to people who are suffering from something like this. You have to be strong and move forward no matter what happens in your life," Lauren told The Sun.

Simone's family encouraged the girls to keep going despite their loss. "We’ve been in touch with Simone’s mum. I’ve personally spoken to her a lot through this," said Lauren.

“We have her support for the band to move forward — she says she wants the best for us four girls.”

Simon Cowell was one of the first to pay tribute to Simone, who made it to the final 17 of the US X Factor in 2011.

G.R.L's latest single, Lighthouse, was written in memory of Simone. The touching video, released today, features images of the late singer throughout her childhood.

 

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Singer Simone Battle has died aged just 25, it was confirmed today.

Simone was part of US girlband G.R.L. who had their first UK and Ireland hit this week with Ugly Heart.

News of the star's death first came to light when her close friend Derek Butler posted a touching tribute on his Instagram account.

He uploaded a picture of Simone with the caption, "I'm still in shock and in disbelief to have confirmed the death of my childhood friend @SimoneBattle. Her heart was pure gold and her star power limitless. Rest in sweet peace Angel."


Simone's passing was later confirmed by G.R.L's label, RCA Records.

No cause of death has been announced at this stage.

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