Grinstead, who comprised 702 with vocalists Kameelah Williams and sister LeMisha Grinstead, died Saturday, 702’s representative Cory Taylor confirmed to news outlets Sunday.

Taylor shared a statement from Grinstead’s bandmate and sister LeMisha, which was also posted on Instagram.

“It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that my beautiful sister and friend has passed away this evening,” LeMisha said in the statement. “She has had a long battle and she is finally at peace. That girl was as bright as the stars!”

LeMisha added: “She was not only beautiful on the outside, but also within. Sharing the stage with her was a joy I will cherish for the rest of my life!”

While no cause of death was provided, Irish had been battling “serious medical issues” since at least December 2022, when the group announced that she would take a leave of absence from 702.

The Houston-born, Las Vegas-raised Grinstead sisters named their girl group after Sin City’s area code, 702. The trio — Irish and Lamisha Grinstead along with Kameelah Williams — released their debut album No Doubt in 1996, with the album featuring early songwriting credits (and a guest appearance) by Missy Elliott on their debut single “Steelo.”

Their follow-up, self-titled LP was released in 1999 and featured the track “Where My Girls At,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. It stands as one of the group’s three singles to be certified Gold by the RIAA, including “Get It Together” and “Steelo,” which was the theme song for Nickelodeon’s Cousin Skeeter.

Fellow bandmate Williams shared on Instagram that she was “devastated and heartbroken” by the news of her friend’s death. She also referenced the 2008 death of Irish’s twin and original band member, Orish Grinstead.

“I struggled with this post because to me this isn’t real,” she wrote on Sunday morning. “ There’s a lot I want to say, but there’s no way to say what your heart hasn’t fully accepted.”

“It’s hard to acknowledge this is even happening,” Williams added. “I know you’re feeling better now and hugging your twin Orish which makes me