Former child actress Sophie Nyweide, known for her roles in “Mammoth” and “Noah,” has died at the age of 24, her family confirmed in a statement. Nyweide passed away on April 14 in Bennington, Vermont, after spending most of her life between Vermont and New York City.

While her family did not specify an exact cause of death in their obituary, they indicated that Nyweide had been struggling with trauma and had turned to self-medication, which ultimately “resulted in her death.” Her mother, Shelly Gibson, told media outlets that police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s passing. Her body was found in a wooded area by the Roaring Branch River.

“She was with other people when she died. I didn’t know them. There is an investigation ongoing,” Gibson said.

The Bennington Police Department is considering “a range of possible causes” in their investigation, including potential foul play. Gibson has stated that to her knowledge, Nyweide was using drugs before her death, describing her daughter as “a tiny young woman.”

According to her death certificate, Nyweide was pregnant at the time of her passing. Which stage of her pregnancy has not been publicly disclosed, though sources suggest it was in the early stages. Her pregnancy was first reported by TMZ.

In their heartfelt obituary, Nyweide’s family painted a picture of a sensitive and creative individual who faced significant personal challenges. They described her as kind and trusting, qualities that sometimes left her vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others. The family shared how Nyweide expressed herself through writing and art, which often depicted both her depth as a person and the pain she experienced.

Her family explained that she had rejected treatment that might have helped her, insisting that she would handle her problems independently.

Born on July 8, 2000, in Burlington, Vermont, Nyweide began her acting career at just six years old, making her screen debut in the 2006 film “Bella.” Her career quickly blossomed as she appeared in several productions before the age of 10, including an episode of “Law & Order” (2007), “And Then Came Love” (2007), “Margot at the Wedding” (2007), and “New York City Serenade” (2007).

Nyweide’s most notable role came in 2009 when she played Jackie Vidales in the romantic drama “Mammoth,” starring alongside Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal as their daughter. Her filmography continued to grow with appearances in “William Vincent” (2010), “An Invisible Sign” (2010), “Mistakes Were Made” (2011), and “Noah” (2014), where she worked with Russell Crowe. Her final acting credits include “Born Again” (2015) and the reality program “Primetime: What Would You Do?” (2015).

Despite beginning her career at such a young age, Nyweide’s mother emphasized that her daughter had positive experiences in the entertainment industry. Gibson explained that Nyweide was not exposed to anything harmful while working on those films. She also mentioned that her daughter was always in a safe environment on set and that her acting career was short but brought her a great deal of happiness.

Nyweide’s relatively short but impactful acting career included roles in at least seven films before she turned 10. Her work in “Mammoth” was particularly significant, as the film received international recognition after premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival. The drama, directed by Lukas Moodysson, explored themes of family relationships and globalization.

In “Noah,” directed by Darren Aronofsky, Nyweide had the opportunity to work with a star-studded cast that included not only Russell Crowe but also Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, and Anthony Hopkins. The biblical epic represented one of her final film appearances before stepping away from acting.

Following her acting career, Nyweide appears to have lived a more private life. According to her family’s statement, she continued to express herself through art and writing, creating works that reflected both her creative abilities and personal struggles.

The news of Nyweide’s death has resonated throughout the entertainment community, particularly among those who worked with her during her childhood acting years. Her passing at such a young age highlights the challenges that some former child actors face as they transition into adulthood.

As authorities in Bennington continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nyweide’s death, her family is left to mourn the loss of a daughter, sister, and friend whose creative spirit and sensitivity touched those who knew her.