“It took everything in my power to not do the thing that was perceived as right.”
Police are investigating the sudden death of former child actress Sophie Nyweide.
The 24-year-old, best known for her roles in “Noah” and “Bella,” died on April 14, according to an obituary shared by her family. An official cause of death has yet to be revealed.
According to TMZ, which spoke to local authorities, Nyweide’s body was found “lifeless on a riverbank” not far from a high school in Bennington, Vermont at around 4 a.m. on April 14.
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Nyweide was declared dead at the scene, per reports.
Police later explained that Nyweide’s body was found near a temporary makeshift structure built from downed trees. She didn’t live in the structure, but it wasn’t her first time visiting it, police say.
TMZ also reported that she was with a man who is cooperating with cops and isn’t considered a suspect. Others who were with Nyweide leading up to her death are being tracked down by local authorities.
According to Nyweide's death certificate, which was obtained and shared by People on April 23, the young actress was pregnant at the time of her death.
It's unclear how far along she was, but a source close to the investigation told People that "she appeared to be in the early stages."
Police aren’t ruling anything out in terms of cause of death at this time as Nyweide’s toxicology report and autopsy are still pending.
On April 22, Nyweide’s mother, Shelly, released a statement to TMZ.
“We are very distraught and mourning. All I can say is her time acting was brief but very happy,” she wrote in the statement.
“She wasn't a child star in the least and wasn't subjected to anything hurtful on those films. She was always safe on those sets. Please let her rest in peace now,” she added.
Nyweide’s mother went on to confirm that her daughter was “using drugs and was a tiny young woman.”
“She was with other people when she died. I didn't know them,” she continued. “There is an investigation ongoing. The autopsy results are not in. They said it would take 6-8 weeks. So I can't say definitively.”
Nyweide had a history of drug use and often rejected treatment
In her obituary, published April 17, Nyweide’s family confirmed that the actress “self-medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside,” adding that it “possibly lead to her death.”
According to the CDC, more than 100,000 people die from drug-related overdoses every year.
“She repeatedly said she would ‘handle it’ on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life,” Nyweide’s family wrote in her obituary.
The family described her as a “kind and trusting girl” who was often “taken advantage of by others.”
Nyweide, born in 2000, made her on-screen debut in 2006 when she was cast as the titular character in “Bella,” per IMDB.
She went on to appear in six more films before her 11th birthday, including “Margot at the Wedding” (2007), “Mammoth” (2009), “Shadows & Lies” (2010) and “An Invisible Sign” (2010).
She also appeared in “Noah” (2014) and a 2007 episode of “Law & Order.”
“She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else,” her obituary read. “It was a safe place for her and she relished the attention from casts and crews who nourished her talent and her well being.”
Her family is remembering her as “creative, athletic and wise beyond her years.”
“Her death has left a hole in all,” they added. “Sadness, loss, heartbreak and even anger is present for those who loved her and now will have to continue on without her laughter, infectious passion and zest.”
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Her final on-screen performance was in a 2015 episode of the TV show “What Would You Do?”
