Child actor Sophie Nyweide dead at 24

Sophie Nyweide, a child actor best known for her roles in the films Mammoth and An Invisible Sign, has died. She was 24.

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According to an obituary published on Legacy.com, Nyweide died on April 14. It did not state a cause of death, but her mother, actress Shelly Gibson, said her daughter was using drugs and that there is an ongoing police investigation.

“My knowledge is she was using drugs and was a tiny young woman. She was with other people when she died,” Gibson told TMZ.

The actress reportedly died in Bennington, Vt.

Nyweide’s obituary described her as a “beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend and new aunt.”

“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,” the obituary stated.

“She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else. It was a safe place for her and she relish from the casts and crews who nourished her talent and her well being.”

The obituary also described the actress’ personal struggles.

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