Sophie Nyweide, a former child actor whose brief career in the late aughts to early 2010s included roles in films Mammoth, Noah and Bella, has died.
Nyweide died April 14 in her home state of Vermont, her family announced in a Legacy.com obituary published last week.
“Creative, athletic and wise beyond her years, Sophie accomplished so much in the time she danced upon earth,” her loved ones wrote. She was 24.
The obituary described Nyweide as a welcoming person who saw people other than relatives as family.
“Her death has left a hole in all,” the obituary continued. “Sadness, loss, heartbreak and even anger is present for those who loved her and now will have to continue on with her laughter, infectious passion and zest – without those amazing blue eyes that could look directly into one’s soul.”
The family’s announcement did not disclose additional details about the actor’s death, including a cause, but her loved ones implied that the actor had been taken advantage of, refused professional help and self-medicated to cope with undisclosed “trauma and shame,” which led to her death.
The Bennington Police Department said in a statement shared with The LA Times that it is investigating Nyweide’s death as a “possible unintentional overdose” and will conduct an investigation, including final autopsy and toxicology reports.
Police and rescue personnel responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive female early April 14, according to the statement.
Officials arrived to a “wooded area along the banks of the Roaring Branch River” where first responders “attempted life saving measures” on Nyweide, who was pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour later.
The person who called 911 was present with Nyweide at the time of her death and is cooperating with investigators, the statement said. Investigators will reportedly consider a range of possible causes, including foul play.
Nyweide was reportedly in the early stages of pregnancy when she died, according to several outlets citing her death certificate.
Nyweide was born July 8, 2000, in Burlington, Vermont, and enjoyed a varied career that spanned from her screen debut in the 2006 film Bella to a 2015 episode of ABC’s beloved social experiment series What Would You Do?
Nyweide was inspired by her mother, actor Shelly Gibson (All My Children, Blood & Oil), to pursue a career in Hollywood.
By the time she was 11, Nyweide appeared in a handful of films including the 2009 multilingual and country-hopping film Mammoth. In the film, directed by Lukas Moodysson, Nyweide appeared as the onsceen eight-year-old daughter of Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal.
Nyweide also shared the screen with James Franco and Julianne Nicholson in the 2010 feature Shadows & Lies, and appeared alongside Jessica Alba and Chris Messina as an elementary school student in An Invisible Sign.
Nyweide’s credits also include films And Then Came Love, Noah and Margot At The Wedding, TV series Law & Order and shorts Mistakes Were Made and Born Again.
“She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else,” her family said in the obituary, adding productions were a “safe place for her.”
The obituary continued: “She was an eager adventurer and picked up the customs and even languages of any place she visited. She made friends easily at her schools and saw the good in everyone.”
Before she became an actor, Nyweide took inspiration from her older brother and found a knack for snowboarding. She started competing in the sport at age five, according to her obituary.
“A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain,” the obituary said. “May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better.”
The family asks that donations be made in Nyweide’s name to RAINN, an organisation dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence. – Los Angeles Times.
Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/ 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/ 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/ email sam@befrienders.org.my/ befrienders centres in malaysia).
