The body of Australian model Annalise Braakensiek is believed to have been found in her Sydney’s Potts Point flat after her friends raised concerns about her welfare. According to the local police, as cited by the Australian branch of The Guardian, the formal identification and a postmortem examination to define the cause of her death have yet to take place; however, there are no apparent suspicious circumstances.
The 46-year-old Australian celebrity, whose modelling career kicked off, appeared on the covers of a number of magazines, was the face of brands like Nivea, La Perla, Lee, Levi’s and Toyota, but then switched to TV shows. She made appearances in episodes of Home & Away, Heartbreak High, and played one of the characters in the SBS comedy series Pizza.
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She also worked with several charities and became an ambassador for the suicide prevention group R U OK?, encouraging people to be attentive to their loved ones, who might be prone to depression. The organisation has expressed their condolences.
The R U OK? team are devastated to hear of the loss of much loved and respected R U OK? Ambassador Annalise Braakensiek. Our heartfelt condolences are with her friends, family and all those whose lives she touched. pic.twitter.com/ovTSm3d1Nw
— R U OK? (@ruokday) 7 января 2019 г.
Over the course of her work for R U OK?, Braakensiek was open about her personal experience of living with depression following the deaths of her two friends, who killed themselves, and losing her grandfather over a short span of time.
“Very few people asked me ‘was I OK?’ And when I did say [I wasn’t], they ran. I was so shocked by the reaction of so-called friends – the aggression, the lack of support. That’s when I really realised the negative stigma with mental illness is rampant. People have that real ‘what have you got to be depressed about?’ [attitude]”, she told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2017.
Less than a month before her death, Annalise Braakensiek, who divorced her husband in 2018, posted on her social media that “everything seemed to feel twisted and upside down at the moment”.
“Life’s challenges have been deep, dark, difficult, demanding and downright scary lately. For me and so many others I know. But today is a new day!” she wrote on her Instagram, also thanking those who had “carried her through this turbulent year”.
Her death moved many to tears, as they posted heart-warming words and condolences on Twitter.
I'm very saddened to hear of the passing of Annalise Braakensiek — it truly goes to show that anyone can be dealing with their own battles, regardless of who they are, or how well known they may be. Passing on… https://t.co/v1uVjL1ZtA
— Ryan Daykin (@ryandaykin) 7 января 2019 г.
So sad to hear the passing of Annalise Braakensiek. I will remember her awesome smile and great sense of humour. So many times in my presentations I have used this very photo to remind people it's ok to ask for help. RIP beautiful lady. pic.twitter.com/Iqgp3oLLbD
— Don (@donelg17) 7 января 2019 г.
WTF! Annalise Braakensiek found dead in her apartment. I’m a big Home & Away fan I cannot believe she’s died at 46. Jesus I’m stunned as I just read the news. RIP 😢 pic.twitter.com/ogxte6TcwG
— 𝙄𝙊𝘼𝙉, (@GamingWelchman) 7 января 2019 г.
Wow! Shocked by this news, I was just thinking of you today and how I thought you had it all…you were so beautiful #AnnaliseBraakensiek
— Belinda Anstis (@AnstisBelinda) 7 января 2019 г.
Incredibly tragic news to break this eve: the death of the dynamo who loved everyone; didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone & just rocked. RIP beautiful soul — Annalise Braakensiek @ABraakensiek 🙏🏻💔https://t.co/X83JqlFFwN #RIPAnnalise pic.twitter.com/iWBFPzQPWv
— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) 6 января 2019 г.
Some thanked her for her charity work battling depression.
#AnnaliseBraakensiek Such sad news. As a sufferer of #depression #panicanxietydisorder, you did SO much to help @ruokday.
— Jane Quantrill (@JaneQuantrill10) 7 января 2019 г.
R.I.P. Annalise. pic.twitter.com/p7PT2OsSCR
So very sad to hear about #AnnaliseBraakensiek
— Tricky🤠 (@PatrickinSyd) 7 января 2019 г.
Rest In Peace. I would like to make some films about mental health. @ruokday @beyondblue let’s chat
R.I.P #AnnaliseBraakensiek 🙏.
— •+ Mila Jovi +• (@Mila_JoviAU) 7 января 2019 г.
If & when you or someone you know needs help immediately, these are the numbers
@LifelineAust 131114 @beyondblue 1300224636 @QLifeAustralia 1800551800 @MensLine_Aus 1300789978 https://t.co/z8VB5YYm3Y
