Family in shock

At only 26 years old: Porn star Sophia Leone is dead

Porn star Sophia Leone died at the age of just 26 - it is still unclear why.

American porn star Sophia Leone has died at the age of just 26. The model, who mainly captivated her fans with erotic content, was found motionless in her apartment.

"On behalf of her mother and family, it is with a heavy heart that I have to break the news of the death of our beloved Sophia. The sudden loss of Sophia has left her family and friends devastated and in a state of shock," her stepfather Mike Romero announced on the fundraising site "Go Fund Me".

Sophia was "a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend". "She loved to travel and always found a way to make everyone around her smile."

She was "found motionless in her apartment by her family on March 1," he wrote about the published campaign to raise funds for Sophia's funeral. 

Family can't afford funeral costs
The grief is overwhelming, but the financial burden that Sophia's family is now facing cannot be met without help.

Romero appealed to fans for donations: "I am reaching out to all of Sophia's supporters and the community at this incredibly difficult time. Sophia undoubtedly deserves the absolute best funeral and you can help us do that. Any donation, no matter the amount, will go directly towards the cost of the investigation, funeral costs and any other costs the family may incur during this difficult time."

Sophia's fans have not let her stepfather down: more than 10,000 of the necessary 12,000 dollars have already been raised.