Tragic adult film star Sophia Leone asked her fans to go out and appreciate life in one of her latest PG social media posts, amid reports that police are investigating her death as a homicide.
The 26-year-old was found dead in her New Mexico home on March 1, and her agency 101 Modeling said the death was being investigated as a “home invasion homicide.”
She had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone, where she posted racy photos from her glamorous film shoots.
But in one of her final posts, she urged them to find joy in the world around them in a moving and fully clothed final post on stage.
“Go out and appreciate life a little extra today,” she wrote.
The joy of the outdoors: Sophia Leone in one of her last social media posts
The 26-year-old had earned an army of fans for her racy performances in adult films
a Gofundme The appeal looked set to reach its $12,000 target this afternoon as devastated friends and colleagues responded to her sudden death.
“Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend,” her stepfather Mike Romero wrote on the crowdfunding page.
“She had a deep love for all animals, especially her three pets.
“She loved to travel and always found ways to make everyone around her laugh.
Sophia will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.”
Friends in her native Miami paid their tribute, including Brian Berke, who founded AMA Modeling in 2004.
“At the age of 18 you started with me at AMA and now at the age of 26 I have to say goodbye,” he wrote.
‘I am speechless and heartbroken. I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” added former colleague Gina Valentine.
Fans of the star have also remembered her on X and posted tributes.
One person wrote: “First we lose Akira Toriyama, now we lose Sophia Leone. Life is too short, beautiful and tragic. May they rest in peace.’
Another said: ‘Is this Sophia Leone news real??? I feel sick.’
An adult creator who allegedly worked with the popular star wrote: “Sophia Leone was an amazing member of our industry and she will be missed.
‘We’ve bumped shoulders here and there, but I’ve never really had the pleasure of having a friendship with her. I sincerely hope that her family and friends can have a peaceful space to process her loss.”
Her stepfather said family members were found unconscious in her home and police were investigating the circumstances of her death.
The industry has suffered a wave of tragedies in recent weeks, with the apparent suicide of Kagney Linn Karter last month, and the discovery of Jesse Jane, real name Cindy Taylor, who died days earlier at the age of 43 with her boyfriend was found dead in their home in Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, Emily Willis is in a ‘vegetative coma’ and ‘fighting for her life’, her stepfather Michael Willis has revealed.
Willis was rushed from a popular celebrity rehabilitation center in Malibu to a medical facility in Thousand Oaks, California, on February 5 after authorities received a call about the 25-year-old, who was unresponsive.
“Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend,” her stepfather Mike Romero wrote during a crowdfunding appeal
The Miami-born model had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone
A Gofundme appeal looked set to reach its $12,000 target this afternoon as devastated friends and colleagues responded to her sudden death
She stayed in the institution to be treated for addiction, although it is unclear for what exactly and for how long.
Michael Willis denied claims she had taken an ‘overdose’ and said: ‘Emily received the treatment and help she needed at the time of the incident to overcome her struggles.
‘Emily is in a vegetative coma and fighting for her life.’
Dailymail.com has contacted Albuquerque police for comment.