'Love Island' star Sophie Gradon dead at 32
Newcastle beauty Sophie Gradon, who won over the hearts of the British many times over, has been reported dead. Aged 32, the cause of 'Love Island' star Sophie's death has not been made public, but according to Mirror, it was not under any suspicious circumstances, the police have confirmed.
"At about 8.27pm yesterday (June 20) police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner," a Northumbria Police spokesperson is quoted as saying.
She is being mourned by her family and her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who confirmed via Sophie’s personal Facebook account that she had passed away. Along with a photo of the two of them, Aaron wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday, "I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always."
Sophie, who appeared in the ITV2 dating show 'Love Island' in 2016, was also crowned Miss Newcastle before becoming Miss Great Britain in 2009. She had made history on the reality show by becoming one half of the show's first same-sex couple along with Katie Salmon.
Her friends have also taken to social media to express their condolences. Olivia Buckland, who was in the villa with Sophie, tweeted, "Awful awful news this morning. I am gutted. I am so sorry the world failed you. You were such an intricate, creative, intelligent soul. Words fail me." She further added, "ou helped us through so much. Your smile was one in a million. The world failed. I send all my love and my thoughts to you today. To your family and your loved ones. I cannot work out what to say. RIP you beautiful beautiful woman. I’m so lucky to have met you. #stayshapey"
Fellow former Miss Newcastle and reality TV star Holly Hagan said, "You were only helping me battle the Twitter trolls yesterday. Rest in peace beautiful." The 'Geordie Shore' cast member may be referring to the tweet with which Sophie helped her take down a troll who called her "rude" and a "mess. Sophie had tweeted on 19 June, "Grammar is the way in which words are put together to form proper sentences. If YOU’RE going to attack Holly, at least do it right. #jussayin"
Holly further tweeted the following, which has led many to believe that Sophie may have taken her own life. It was retweeted by many friends of Sophie, including Love Islander Thomas Powell.
Many of her followers, who assumed she is speaking of Sophie left messages such as, "so sad poor sophie" and "I’m in shock about poor Sophie gradon RIP I’m crying xxxxx" in response to Holly's touching message.
Further, Rebecca Jane,'Big Brother' star also tweeted, "I nearly just messaged @sophiegradon to tell her about the fake news going around that she’s passed, but it’s actually true! You beautiful, beautiful young girl! If only you’d told me what you were going through.Devastated. No one ever knows what’s going on behind closed doors 😢"
If these tweets are accurate, then Sophie is among the many celebrities to have committed suicide in the recent past.
Earlier this month the death of actor Jon Paul Steuer, best known for his role as Worf’s son Alexander Rozhenko in 1990's 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' was ruled as suicide. The former child actor had died of a gunshot wound to the head on January 1. The news was confirmed by The Portland Police Bureau.
Highly celebrated and beloved chef Anthony Bourdain had committed suicide at the age of 61 on Friday, June 8. His body was found by a close friend and Frech chef Eric Ripert. It had been reorted that he had taken his own life by hanging himself in his hotel room in Strasbourg, France.
Fashion designer Kate Spade was also found dead in her New York City apartment on Tuesday, June 5, morning. She had reportedly hanged herself with a scarf in her Upper East Side home and her body was found by her housekeeper.
Meanwhile DJ Avicii had committed suicide by using a shard of glass from a wine bottle.The 28-year-old DJ, whose struggles with alcohol and 'party' lifestyle was public knowledge, was reported dead on April 20, in Oman. His parents had confirmed this news of his suicide with the statement, "He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace."
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).