Avril Lavigne Responds <br />to Rumors That She Died In 2003, conspiracy theories started to circulate that the singer took her own life. According to that theory, upon her <br />passing, Lavigne was replaced by a <br />body double named Melissa Vandella. On Wednesday, the singer did an <br />interview with Australia's KISS 106.5 <br />and addressed the conspiracy. Australia's KISS 106.5, to Avril Lavigne Avril Lavigne, to Australia's KISS 106.5 Lavigne's 5-year-hiatus was largely due to her ongoing battle with Lyme disease. Despite rumors that she <br />doesn't exist, Lavigne recently released <br />the new single, "Head Above Water."