2 weeks Ago
Police have launched an investigation into the death of former child star Sophie Nyweide . Nyweide was declared dead April 19 after her body was found on a riverbank in Vermont near a lean-to, a simple structure made by leaning tree branches on an angle, the Bennington Police Department told TMZ April 22. She was 24.
According to authorities, Nyweide did not live in the makeshift shelter, but was hanging around there with other people—including an unnamed man who police said they do not consider to be a suspect or person of interest—prior to her death. A cause of death has not yet been determined as autopsy results and a toxicology report is pending, per police. Investigators added that they have not ruled out foul play.
E! News has reached out to police for comment but hasn’t heard back. Nyweide appeared in several movies as a child, including 2007's Margot at the Wedding , 2009's Mammoth , 2010's An Invisible Sign and 2014's Noah . Her last acting credit was in 2015, when she appeared on the hidden camera show What Would You Do? .
"Creative, athletic and wise beyond her years, Sophie accomplished so much in the time she danced upon earth," Nyweide's online obituary read. "She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else." However, Nyweide faced "struggles and traumas" in her later years, according to the obit.
"Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others," it read. "She self medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death.
" Describing Nyweide as "an eager adventurer," the tribute continued, "A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain. May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better.
" For a closer look at Sophie's career as a child star, keep reading. July 2007 Sophie and her costar Eduardo Verástegui reunited at the New York Latino Film Festival premiere of Bella . September 2007 The young star attended the New York City Serenade world premiere screening during the Toronto International Film Festival.
October 2007 Sophie attended the New York City premiere of Bella , which starred Tammy Blanchard in addition to Eduardo. November 2008 Sophie and costar Jessica Alba took a breather while filming An Invisible Sign . February 2009 Sophie and her Mammoth costars— Gael Garcia Bernal , Marife Necesito , Jan Nicdao , Sophie Nyweide , Martin Delos Santos as well as director Lukas Moodysson —posed for photos during the film's presentation at the 59th Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin.
February 2009 Sophie had her stuffed mammoth by her side at the film's press conference. October 2010 Sophie attended the the RoC reception during the 18th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival with director Marilyn Agrelo and actress Emerald Angel Young ..
