Australia’s Next Top Model star Lucy Markovic has died aged 27 after battling a rare brain condition.
She had been diagnosed with a brain condition called arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and had to undergo surgery before she went into a coma earlier this week. Her tragic passing was confirmed by her partner on her Instagram account.
A statement read: “Dear friends and family, I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed. She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her.
The tribute added: “We ask you to please give us space in these hard times. May Lucy rest in peace.”
(Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)
Her management firm, Elite Model Management also confirmed her passing and branded her a “bright shining light.” They said: “We are heartbroken to share that Lucy Markovic has passed away after a brave battle with a brain AVM.
“Lucy was a bright shining light, and had an incredible dry sense of humor. Her smile and laughter could light up a room, and draw you closer to her. She loved to dance, she really shined.
“Modeling was one of Lucy’s dreams, and we are deeply honored to have been part of that journey with her. She brought elegance, strength, and beauty to her work. But more than that, she brought herself—her warmth, her laughter, her light.
(Image: WireImage)
They added: “To her family and friends, please know that you are in our prayers and in our hearts. We mourn with you, and we celebrate the incredible person Lucy was. We will never forget her.”
Laura shot to fame on the Australian version of Next Top Model back in 2015 and finished runner-up on the ninth series of the show. She modelled for the likes of Versace and Armani during her career and appeared in multiple editions of Vogue.
Donatella Versace herself paid tribute to Lucy and shared a snap of the Croatian-Australian model on the runway for her brand. She wrote: “I am so sorry to hear about Lucy. Rest in peace, beautiful girl.”
(Image: lucymarkovicc/Instagram)
Lucy’s friend, YouTube star Cartia Mallan, also paid tribute to the star, who was just 17 years of age when she competed on Next Top Model. “Heartbroken to say the least. My beautiful friend Lucy Markovic sadly passed away after putting up a strong fight.
“I can’t even put into words how kind, radiant and caring she was as a human. Not to mention how insanely beautiful and talented she was. All my love to her family during this time. I can’t even phantom [sic] this, she was so young – life is so insanely brutal sometimes.
“Deeply blessed to have known her” she added. “Rest in peace my angel girl.”
Last month, Lucy revealed she was undergoing surgery for her AVM and that she had been suffering seizures and completing rounds of radiation. “Lucky + unlucky – Radiation, seizures, heavy medication and 4 years later,” she wrote.
“I will be undergoing brain surgery on the 26th of this month for the AVM in the back of my brain (arteriovenous malformation) that is the size of a golf ball. (Now has changed to the 2nd of April).”
She told followers she was feeling “excited, thankful, scared, supported” and “hopeful”, adding: “Full flood of emotions in this time. Life’s a journey and I’m ready for the next chapter.”
On Thursday, her partner had revealed the model was “battling for her life”. It’s believed she fell into the coma after emergency surgery for the condition.
AVM is a tangle of blood vessels that created irregular connections between arteries and veins in the brain. It can lead to brain damage and a stroke.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
