American Idol contestant's sister drowns in Tennessee lake, officials say

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVC) — A Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) spokesperson confirmed a 19-year-old woman's body was recovered from a Tennessee lake just after midnight Tuesday.

A release from the TWRA said Madison Taylor entered the waters ofWatts Bar Lake from a boat to swim and did not resurface.

Crews were searching late Monday night above a dam in Rhea County. The agency was helped by Rhea County Sheriff’s Office, Rhea County Rescue, Meigs County Rescue, the Bradley County Dive Team and the Hamilton County Dive Team.

Taylor's body was taken to the Rhea County Medical Examiner's Office.

Former American Idol contestant Drake McCain confirmed Taylor was his sister on his public Facebook page.

"My beautiful baby sister! Bubba misses you so much my heart can't take it," he wrote on Facebook.

He asked in the post for others to pray for his family and to respect their privacy.

The singer also shared a longer tribute and a series of photos of his sister on Instagram. "I don't know why GOD took you yet but I know you are in a better place smiling down on us," he wrote. "You inspired me and so many other people, and overall had the best heart there ever was. We will never forget you, the memories, or that beautiful contagious smile. I love you so much, forever and always Bean. Until we meet again my precious baby sis!"

A GoFundMe account has also been created to help Taylor's family with funeral expenses.

Drake was a contestant on American Idol in 2019.He made it to the Top 40 showcase round after a private audition in Nashville, Tennessee andrecorded Maroon 5's "Girls Like You" for his audition tape.