Former child star Sophie Nyweide died on Monday, April 14 at age 24, and her official cause of death has not been revealed.
“Sophie. A life ended too soon,” read an obituary posted on April 17. “May it not be in vain. May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better.”
The obituary also asked that in lieu of flowers, mourners to donate to RAINN — the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization — in Sophie’s name.
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“Sophie accomplished so much in the time she danced upon earth (literally — she danced as she moved!),” the obituary also read. “She dreamed (more like demanded!) to be an actor, without ever knowing her mother was an actor, so she did that too with an ease we all marveled about. She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else.”
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Sophie had not appeared in front of the camera since 2015 when she acted on the ABC series What Would You Do? Keep scrolling to learn more about the late actress.
1. Sophie Was Best Known for Her Role Opposite Michelle Williams in ‘Mammoth’
Sophie played Jackie Vidales in the 2009 romantic drama, Mammoth, with Gael García Bernal and Michelle Williams portraying her parents. In the movie, Jackie is the daughter of two driven and well-off professionals, leaving the seven-year-old to spend most of her time with her nanny, Gloria. The Swedish film garnered mixed reviews.
2. She Was Born in Vermont and Lived Most Her Life in New York
The actress was born in Burlington, Vermont, and “spent most of her brief life in Vermont and New York City,” according to her obituary.
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3. She Made Her Acting Debut at Age 6 in the Movie ‘Bella’
Her first credit came alongside Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard in the 2006 drama, Bella, with Sophie playing the titular role.
4. Sophie’s Obituary Said She Was Self Medicating to Cope With ‘Trauma and Shame’
The obituary did not go into specifics, but said that Sophie was often “taken advantage of by others.”
“She wrote and drew voraciously and much of this art depicts the depth she had and it also represents the pain she suffered,” the obituary read. “Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas.”
While an autopsy and toxicology report are still pending, according to TMZ, the obituary also stated Sophie “self medicated.”
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“She self medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it possibly lead to her death,” the obit continued. “She repeatedly said she would ‘handle it’ on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life.”
5. The Circumstances Around Her Death Are Being Investigated
Sophie’s body was found “near a makeshift structure made from downed trees” in Bennington, Vermont, according to TMZ. The outlet added that a man was found with her and he is cooperating with authorities and is not considered a suspect or person of interest. As the investigation continues, police say they cannot rule out foul play.
Us Weekly has reached out to Bennington Police for comment.
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