‘Australia’s Next Top Model’ star Lucy Markovic dies at 27 from brain condition
The star of “Australia’s Next Top Model,” Lucy Markovic, has died.
She was 27.
On April 10, a since-deleted statement was shared to Markovic’s Instagram story confirming the news of her death.
“Dear friends and family, I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed,” the statement read, according to E! News. “She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her.”
The message added, “We ask you to please give us space in these hard times. May Lucy rest in peace.”
In a statement shared by Markovic’s modeling agency, Elite Model Management, she died following “a brave battle” with a brain arteriovenous malformation.
“A brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of blood vessels that creates irregular connections between arteries and veins in the brain,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
“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,” the statement shared by Elite Model Management continued.
“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.”
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that Markovic was aware of her condition and opened up about it publicly on her social media pages in March.
In her statement, Markovic explained her AVM was “the size of a golf ball” and would require surgery to remove. That surgery reportedly took place on April 2.
Her family and friends shared a second joint statement on her Instagram page on Friday, April 11.
“To our Loved Lucy, It is far too early for you to go,” the statement began alongside a video compilation from her never-released fitness app. “Your sunshine, happiness and energy was spread from you everywhere you went.”
“You were so close to releasing your fitness app which you worked on so hard for the past 2 years. This short video is a behind the scenes of the shooting for your App, you are happy and that’s the way we will always want you to be.”
“Your ambitions were always so high,” the statement added. “In fact your dream was to be a Victoria Secret Angel, now you will be walking with all the Angels in heaven, they will all be jealous of you! We will keep your happiness and energy in our hearts and will focus on all the amazing moments you had in your life. For now, fly free, enjoy your journey and we will see each other again on the other side. We love you Lucy, forever.”