Michael Johns Death: How Did 'American Idol' Star Die?

American Idol's Michael Johns died on Friday from a blood clot in his ankle.

Following the Australian musician's death, friends and family members were left in shock, trying to understand what it was that took Johns so suddenly. In a new report, details about what may have happened are being revealed.

According to internist Dr. Levi Benson, "very few" blood clots are deadly. "The huge majority of people who get a blood clot do fine," he told PEOPLE Magazine on Aug. 4. "A medical professional can prescribe blood thinners, and the clots usually go away in a few months."

In 2008, Johns, then 29, competed on American Idol's seventh season and came in eighth place. Following his stint on the series, Johns released an album, titled Hold Back My Heart. "Heart on My Sleeve" was one of the tracks on the album.

Throughout his career, Johns was a favorite of music producer David Foster, and appeared on a 2012 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, alongside Foster and his wife, Yolanda. He also made an appearance during Foster's PBS special, Hit Man: David Foster and Friends.

"If the clot is big enough, it gets wedged into the lung vessels and increases the pressure in the heart," Dr. Benson continued. "This causes the heart to fail. It's like stopping up a pipe or causing an accident on the freeway. All of a sudden you have a big backup."

Johns leaves behind his wife of seven years, Stacey Johns, whom he met in 2003 at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif.