Former Noah child actress Sophie Nyweide dead at 24

A former child star’s family have expressed their heartbreak after her death aged just 24 amid “struggles and traumas”.

Former child actress Sophie Nyweide has died at 24.

The star passed away on April 14, according to an online obituary. A cause of death was not confirmed, but Nyweide’s family spoke candidly about her struggles.

“Sophie was a kind and trusting girl,” the tribute began. “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.”

Nyweide’s first role was in the 2006 romance/drama Bella. A year later, she starred in an episode of Law & Order, followed by And Then Came Love and Margot at the Wedding.

Former child actress Sophie Nyweide has died aged 24. Picture: Scott Wintrow/Getty Images for NYILFF

Nyweide’s cause of death has not been confirmed. Picture: Instagram

In 2009, Nyweide played the daughter of Gael Garcia Bernal and Michelle Williams in the 2009 romance/drama Mammoth.

The obituary noted that those close to Nyweide tried to get her to accept help, which she denied.

She also starred in the 2010 rom-com An Invisible Sign with Jessica Alba.

Her last credits included the 2014 film Noah — alongside Russell Crowe, Emma Watson and Logan Lerman — and the 2015 short Born Again.

“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,” the obituary continued.

Nyweide and her mum, Shelly Gibson, who was also an actress. Picture: Instagram

“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,” the tribute said.

Nyweide’s mum, Shelly Gibson, was also an actress, known for TV shows like All My Children and St. Elsewhere. It was clear her daughter was set to follow in her footsteps from a young age.

“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 marvelled about,” the obituary read. “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.”

On the set of An invisible Sign in 2008 with Jessica Alba. Picture: Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

With co-star Chris Klein at the New York City Serenade premiere in 2007. Picture: Philip Cheung/Getty Images

“Sophie. A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain. May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better.”

Gibson told TMZ on Tuesday, “We are very distraught and mourning. All I can say is her time acting was brief but very happy. She wasn’t a child star in the least and wasn’t subjected to anything hurtful on those films. She was always safe on those sets. Please let her rest in peace now.”

Alluding to her cause of death, Gibson added that “my knowledge is she was using drugs and was a tiny young woman.”

“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 6-8 weeks. So I can’t say definitively,” Gibson added.

Gibson also took to Instagram to share the news of her daughter’s passing.

“RIP, my Sophie. She graced us for far too short a time. My daughter was a light for all who met her. For those us of who were truly close with Sophie, we are gutted and will need a long time to get over her passing. I know I never will. God I love my daughter,” she penned. “I want her back. Fly high sweetheart – you always could.”

Nyweide is survived by Gibson and her brother Huck.

This article originally appeared in New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Former Noah child actress Sophie Nyweide dead at 24