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USA Today
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'An Invisible Sign' child star Sophie Nyweide dies at 24, was pregnant at death
'An Invisible Sign' child star Sophie Nyweide dies at 24, was pregnant at death Show Caption Hide Caption Former child star Sophie Nyweide dead at age 24 Former child actor Sophie Nyweide, who starred in Lukas Moodysson's 'Mammoth,' died at the age of 24. Her cause of death has not yet been released. unbranded - Entertainment Actress and former child star Sophie Nyweide, best known for her roles in the films "Mammoth" and "An Invisible Sign," has died, according a statement from police. She was 24. Nyweide died April 14, according to police and an obituary published on April 17. A cause of death was not disclosed and a preliminary, non-certified death certificate indicated she was pregnant. "This is a fluid investigation and we are still waiting on final autopsy and toxicology reports from the Vermont Office of Chief Medical Examiner," Paul Doucette, the chief of police for Bennington, Vermont, where Nyweide's body was found, said in a statement to USA TODAY April 23. "Investigators are investigating this as a possible unintentional overdose." Doucette said authorities were called to a "wooded area along the banks of the Roaring Branch River" after someone reported an unresponsive female. They attempted life-saving procedures before pronouncing Nyweide dead shortly before 5 a.m. That same person, who called 911, was present at the time of death and is cooperating with authorities, police said. Nyweide's mother, fellow actress Shelly Gibson, confirmed her daughter's death to The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ on April 22. "Sophie. A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain," Nyweide's 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." Representatives for Nyweide were not available for comment at the time of publication. Although the circumstances surrounding Nyweide's death are unclear, the obituary statement acknowledged some of the actress's personal struggles. "Sophie was a kind and trusting girl," the obituary stated. "Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others. She wrote and drew voraciously, and much of this art depicts the depth she had, and it also represents the pain she suffered. Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas." Despite the interventions of Nyweide's loved ones, along with "therapists, law enforcement officers and others who tried to help her," the actress reportedly succumbed to self-medication to "deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death," the obituary continued. Wink Martindale dies: 'Gambit' and 'Tic-Tac-Dough' host was 91 The death notice does not specify the traumas Nyweide may have suffered, with the obituary noting, "She repeatedly said she would 'handle it' on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life." The obituary concluded with a request for the public to donate to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, an anti-sexual violence organization, in lieu of giving gifts or flowers. Sophie Nyweide finds child stardom with 'Mammoth,' 'An Invisible Sign' Nyweide made her acting debut at 6 years old in the 2006 romantic drama "Bella," playing the title role alongside Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard and Manny Perez. "I really, really wanted to be an actress, and I kept begging my mom," Nyweide told The Barre Montpelier Times Argus in a January 2010 interview. "She thought it was funny because before I was born, she was an actress." Following appearances in the late-2000s films "And Then Came Love," "Margot at the Wedding" and "New York City Serenade," Nyweide landed the role of Jackie Vidales in the Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal-starring "Mammoth," released in 2009. Jean Marsh dies: 'Upstairs, Downstairs' star and co-creator was 90 Nyweide's next breakout role came in 2010's "An Invisible Sign," a coming-of-age dramedy in which Nyweide played the student of math teacher Mona Gray, portrayed by Golden Globe-nominated actress Jessica Alba. "She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else," Nyweide's obituary stated. "It was a safe place for her, and she relished the casts and crews who nourished her talent and her well-being." Nyweide's acting career slowed following "An Invisible Sign." She performed in a couple of short films as well as had a minor role in Darren Aronofsky's 2014 religious epic "Noah." According to Nyweide's IMDb page, her final role was a 2015 appearance on the ABC hidden-camera reality show "What Would You Do?" If you or someone you know needs help battling a substance abuse addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: (4673) and and en Español
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former child actor Sophie Nyweide's death being investigated as 'possible unintentional overdose'
The death of former child actor Marion "Sophie" Nyweide is being investigated as a "possible unintentional overdose," police said this week. Nyweide, 24, who appeared in movies such as 2014's "Noah" with Russell Crowe and 2009's "Mammoth" with Michelle Williams, was pronounced dead in the early hours of April 14 after police were called to a riverbank in Vermont to respond to a report of an unresponsive female, according to the Bennington Police Department. Michelle Trachtenberg died of diabetes complications: Medical examiner Police called the investigation "fluid" in a news release Tuesday, noting that they were waiting on the results of a final autopsy and toxicology reports from the Vermont Office of Chief Medical Examiner. In the release, police said they were dispatched to "a wooded area along the banks of the Roaring Branch River located off of Park Street in Bennington, Vermont," after receiving the initial report. After police attempted "life saving measures," Nyweide was pronounced dead just before 5 a.m., according to the release. "An individual was present with Nyweide at the time of her death and they are cooperating with investigators. The same individual was the person who contacted 911, summing [sic] assistance for Nyweide," police stated in the release. According to police, the matter is being investigated "as a possible unintentional overdose." The police said the investigation remains open. Disney star Cameron Boyce's parents on the death of their son Nyweide's credits include a number of film and TV roles, including an episode of "Law & Order" and "What Would You Do?" ABC News has reached out to Shelly Gibson, Nyweide's mother, for additional comment. Former child actor Sophie Nyweide's death being investigated as 'possible unintentional overdose' originally appeared on
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Child actor Sophie Nyweide's mom speaks out as police investigate ‘possible unintentional overdose'
The mother of Sophie Nyweide, a former child actor best known for her roles in Noah and Mammoth, has spoken out about her daughter's untimely passing at the age of 24. Nyweide, who also starred alongside Jessica Alba in the 2010 rom-com An Invisible Sign, died last Monday, April 14, in Bennington, Vermont. 'My knowledge is she was using drugs and was a tiny young woman,' her mother, Shelly, told TMZ in a statement. 'She was with other people when she died. I didn't know them. There is an investigation ongoing. The autopsy results are not in. They said it would take six to eight weeks. So I can't say definitively.' She added that family and friends of Nyweide 'are very distraught and mourning.' Bennington authorities have confirmed to The Independent that they responded to a report of an unresponsive female on the morning of April 14. When first responders arrived on the scene, they attempted life-saving measures; however, Nyweide was pronounced dead on the scene. 'This is a fluid investigation and we are still waiting on final autopsy and toxicology reports from the Vermont Office of Chief Medical Examiner,' Bennington Chief of Police Paul J. Doucette said in a statement shared with The Independent. Doucette confirmed that 'an individual was present with Nyweide at the time of her death and they are cooperating with investigators. The same individual was the person who contacted 911, summing assistance for Nyweide.' 'Investigators are investigating this as a possible unintentional overdose,' he said. 'As with any untimely death, Bennington Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) will conduct a thorough and compressive investigation leading up to, as well as the cause of, Nyweide's death. This investigation remains open and there are no further details at this time.' Following Nyweide's death, her family honored her in an online tribute. 'Born in Burlington, Vermont, she spent most of her brief life in Vermont and New York City. Sophie was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend and new aunt. Creative, athletic and wise beyond her years, Sophie accomplished so much in the time she danced upon earth (literally - she danced as she moved!),' it read. 'She wanted to emulate her brother on the mountain so she started competing in snowboarding at the age of 5. She raced down the mountain in the fresh cold air, collecting friends along the way. 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.' It continued: '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. 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. 'Sophie's 'family' wasn't just her immediate family. She counted many of her brother and mother's friends and their children as family too. And they her. Her death has left a hole in all. Sadness, loss, heartbreak and even anger is present for those who loved her and now will have to continue on without her laughter, infectious passion and zest - without those amazing blue eyes that could look directly into one's soul. 'Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others. She wrote and drew voraciously and much of this art depicts the depth she had and it also represents the pain she suffered. Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas. 'Even with those roadmaps, diagnoses, and her own revelations, those closest to her, plus therapists, law enforcement officers and others who tried to help her are heartbroken their efforts couldn't save her from her fate. 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.' If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting their website here. In the US, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police Investigating Child Actress Sophie Nyweide's Death For Foul Play
A day following the initial reports of her passing, police have announced that they are currently investigating recently deceased child actress Sophie Nyweide's death for any potential signs of foul play. Nyweide -- who, as a child, appeared in such films as Mammoth and Noah -- was "found lifeless on a riverbank" in the early hours of April 14, not far from a nearby high school in Bennington, Vermont. According to local police, a man was present at the scene when Nyweide's body was found, although law enforcement officials do not consider him a person of interest at this time. "This is an open investigation and we are still waiting on final autopsy and toxicology reports from the Vermont Office of Chief Medical Examiner," officials within the Bennington Police Department announced in a formal statement. With the recent news of her passing, Nyweide's family members revealed the former actress's past struggles with poor mental health, something they believe was often expressed in the 24-year-old's artistic hobbies. "Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas," Nyweide's online obituary reads. "Even with those roadmaps, diagnoses, and her own revelations, those closest to her, plus therapists, law enforcement officers and others who tried to help her are heartbroken their efforts couldn't save her from her fate." Though the police are currently waiting for Nyweide's official autopsy report, the actress's family asserted their belief that Nyweide's alleged past struggles with addiction might have been responsible -- something they believe could have been prevented with proper treatment and care on Nyweide's part. "She self medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death," the obituary goes on to say. "She repeatedly said she would 'handle it' on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life."
