Former child actress Sophie Nyweide dies at 24

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(KTLA) – Former child actress Sophie Nyweide, who starred in films like “Mammoth” and “An Invisible Sign,” has passed away. She was 24 years old.

Nyweide’s cause of death was not clear Tuesday; her mother told TMZ that autopsy results are still pending.

In an online obituary, Nyweide was described as “creative, athletic and wise” person who was beloved by friends and family. Nyweide died April 14, according to the obit.

The tribute also added that the 24-year-old had been dealing with unspecified pain from her past.

“She self medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death,” the obit stated. “She repeatedly said she would “handle it” on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life.

Born in Burlington, Vermont, Nyweide spent her life between Vermont and New York.

As just a youngster, her family said 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.”

Sophie Nyweide
Little actress Sophie Nyweide during a press conference for the competition movie “Mammoth” at the Berlinale in Berlin, Germany Feb. 8, 2009.

According to IMDb, her first film credit is 2006’s “Bella.” In 2009, she played Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal’s daughter in the romantic drama “Mammoth.” In 2010, she starred alongside Jessica Alba in “An Invisible Sign.” In 2014, she starred in “Noah,” and her last credit was appearing as herself in ABC’s “What Would You Do?”

Nyweide’s mother is Shelly Gibson, who starred in “All My Children,” “Dust to Malibu” and “St. Elsewhere.”

“Sophie. A life ended too soon. 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 continued.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that a donation be made to the nonprofit anti-sexual assault organization RAINN in Sophie’s name instead.

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