Former Playboy Playmate Ashley Mattingly commits suicide at 33 after struggling with drug and domestic abuse
In devastating news, former Playboy Playmate Ashley Mattingly was found dead at her home in Austin, Texas. The 33-year-old reportedly died after a long battle with drug and alcohol abuse and a suicide note was found next to her body.
She was found unresponsive on Friday after a friend found her radio silent and called the Austin Police Department for a wellness check, according to a TMZ report. Her body was discovered three days later. The tragic news was made public on Facebook by Mattingly's twin siblings — brother Billy and sister Christy.
"Because I can’t find the words to say I will just leave this here. I love you and will miss you every day. Fly high sister, I know you are the most gorgeous angel in heaven!" Christy wrote along with a string of old pictures and Billy posted, "I will get to a memorial/tribute type post when words present themself but I wasn't even ready for this post. Who is, right? If anyone wants to leave a comment or memory on her page that would be awesome!"
Her family also released a statement later, which read: "We learned late Thursday night that it is believed that our dear sister with a larger-than-life personality took her own life. Ashley moved closer to home a couple of years ago and was living in Austin. It's maybe no secret that Ashley struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, but she wanted to and was working to get better."
Her friend Carrie Stevens wrote on Twitter, "I am devastated. My friend #ashleymattingly took her own life. If you are struggling please reach out for help. She was only 33 RIP #playmatesister."
Social media was filled with a number of mournful tweets and posts for her. "Sad to hear, Ashley Mattingly has passed away," one said and another posted, "My heart is so broken hearing this. Ashley was a lovely soul. I have such wonderful memories of our childhood. I’m such at a loss for words. Please know I’m praying for you and the family. Sending you all my love through this hard time. If you need anything, know I am here."
Once popular as Playboy's Miss March 211, she had a troubled life and was a victim of an alleged abusive relationship in 2012 with 'Prison Break' star Lane Garrison. Footage of the actor slapping her in the face at her Beverly Hills apartment was seen on surveillance camera. According to Daily Mail, he pleaded no contest to charges and was sentenced to probation, counseling and a fine after spending two months in jail.
Apparently, a neighbor reported the incident but later, the couple kissed-and-made up in front of the cameras. He told TMZ: "I just really wanted to set the record straight. There was no domestic violence," and it was reported they fought over why she was invited to her ex-boyfriend Craig Rogers' funeral.
Garrison was behind the bars earlier for 40 months following a drunk driving accident in 2007, in which a 17-year-old passenger in his vehicle was found dead. Mattingly was also in a legal soup when she was charged with DUI counts after driving her custom golf cart into four parked cars.
To "overcome these demons", Mattingly had adopted a golden retriever puppy named Miss Jean and her family are now taking care of her puppy.