Brittany George: Aspiring Olympian, 24, kills herself after mental health battle
Australian aerial skier, Brittany George, a member of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia from 2017 to 2020, was found dead in Brisbane's Albion neighborhood. Just months after opening up about her mental health struggles, the hopeful Olympian killed herself. She was only 24 years old at the time and she killed herself six days after going missing, according to police.
George spoke openly about her mental health difficulties on the 'Couching the Mind' podcast in October 2021, just months before her untimely demise. She talked about how she had a back ailment that prompted her to retire early. "It has literally been my whole life, I've been 'the athlete' from when I was 2 until when I was 20 or 21," George explained. "I did not have an identity. I was labeled 'the athlete' from a very young age and just rode with it."
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She continued by saying, "I put everything in. My injuries [and] my schoolwork went second-hand, everything went second-hand to sport... it was absolutely all or nothing." She then weighed in on the tough transition away from sports. "You're an athlete but who am I? Who am I as a person? Who is Brittany?" she questioned and explained, "I don't know that... I struggle every day to know who that is."
On January 21, George was reported missing for the first time. "Family have concerns for her welfare as her disappearance is out of character and she suffers from a medical condition," local police noted at the time. Her family set up a GoFundMe page after learning of her death, with the proceeds "going immediately toward funeral costs and arrangements to celebrate Brittany's life." The fundraiser has already received more than $8,000 while its goal was According to the description, the remaining funds will be donated to Lifeline, a non-profit organization that provides crisis care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"On Thursday, 27th of January 2022, our world stopped as we heard the devastating news that our beloved Brittany had passed away," her family said on her GoFundMe page. "Anyone who knew Brittany, knew that she was determined and courageous, whilst also caring and kind," the note continued.
The statement continued, "Traveling the world to do this, she met and impacted so many people's lives in such a positive way that I am sure would last a lifetime. Always willing to support anyone who needed a hand with such selfless commitment, it was an honor to be called her family or friend."