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US Army servicewoman and fitness influencer Michelle Young dies by suicide, leaving friends shocked

A US servicewomen who had a following of over 100,000 people on Instagram has died with friends saying there will “always be questions”.
A member of the US Army with a popular fitness and fashion account on Instagram has died by suicide, devastated friends shared on Saturday.

Staff Sargeant Michelle Young, 34, took her own life, leaving behind her 12-year-old daughter, who friends described as “her whole world” in a heart-wrenching post on fundraising website GoFundMe.

“Michelle was a beautiful soul, an amazing friend, a single mother, a soldier, and is proof you never know what someone is going through or what demons they may be fighting,” friend Sarah Maine wrote on the page, reported the New York Post.
 

Staff Sgt. Michelle Young died by suicide in recent days. It is unclear what led to the tragedy. Picture: michelleyoung17/Instagram.
Staff Sgt. Michelle Young died by suicide in recent days. It is unclear what led to the tragedy. Picture: michelleyoung17/Instagram.


“We will never fill the gaps in our hearts and will always be left with questions,” she added.

Ms Young, from Prescott, Arizona, had served in the army for 16 years, first enlisting when she was about 18 years old. During that time, she completed two tours in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail reported.

Just days before news of her death broke, Ms Young had posted a birthday message on Instagram for her daughter, Gracie.

“Happy birthday to the sweetest girl I’ve ever known,” she wrote.

“The best part about my life is being your momma.”
 

Young had an Instagram account where she modelled and promoted mental health. Picture: michelleyoung17/Instagram.
Young had an Instagram account where she modelled and promoted mental health. Picture: michelleyoung17/Instagram.


Friends recalled how close Ms Young and Gracie were, with countless photos on social media showing a loving mother and daughter. Just this past Halloween, the pair dressed up as Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.

Ms Young commanded a following of over 100,000 people on an Instagram account where she modelled apparel from a female veterans-focused athletic attire company Curves N Combatboots.

The influencer advocated for better mental health treatment for veterans while combating homelessness among former soldiers.

She also volunteered at her local shelter as a crisis trauma response volunteer.
 

Young left behind a 12-year-old daughter, whom friends described as “her whole world”. Picture: michelleyoung17/Instagram.
Young left behind a 12-year-old daughter, whom friends described as “her whole world”. Picture: michelleyoung17/Instagram.


In September, she made a post for Suicide Prevention Week recalling how her older brother took his life when she was 14 years old, and encouraged anybody in distress to reach out.

It remains unclear what led to Ms Young’s suicide.

“From the outside looking in it looked like she had it all,” Ms Maine wrote in a separate post. “Mental illness is so prevalent especially in the military. We need to find a way to do better.”

Nearly $US25,000 has been raised on Ms Young’s GoFundMe page. The funds will go directly to her daughter.

This story appeared in the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.


 

Author: Editors Desk

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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