Reeva Steenkamp tragedy not the first: 5 other model deaths

Reeva Steenkamp’s tragic death left the fashion world in shock. And as details continue to emerge about her relationship with Olympic “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius and her Valentine’s Day death, many in the industry are reminded of other stunning beauties whose lives ended similarly.

Sadly, Steenkamp certainly isn’t the first top model whose career ended in tragedy. Here’s a look at five other models who died too young.

1. Anna Nicole Smith
Playboy vixen Anna Nicole Smith rose to fame as the 1993 playmate of the year. She took her modeling to the next level by doing high-fashion shoots for Guess and Lane Bryant. She gained even more attention when she wed J. Howard Marshall in 1994. But the beauty’s life took a tragic turn in 2007 when she overdosed on prescription drugs and was found dead in a Florida Hotel room. She was 39.

2. Dorothy Stratten
Actress and model Dorothy Stratten quickly rose to fame in the late 70s. Stratten was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in 1980 which thrust her into the spotlight even more. In 1981, Stratten began an affair with her director for the film “They All Laughed,” angering her husband Paul Snider. Snider then killed 20-year-old Stratten and himself.

3. Ana Carolina Reston
Brazilian beauty Ana Carolina Reston signed with Ford Brazil in her early teens. Reston’s career blossomed and the high-fashion model traveled to China for work, where she was reportedly told she was “too fat.” Reston then began vigorously working to lose weight, and in 2006, the 21-year-old eventually died of starvation. The 5-foot-8-inch tall model weighed just 88 pounds at the time of her death.

4. Ruslana Korshunova
Nicknamed the Russian Rapunzel, Ruslana Korshunova captivated the fashion world with her blond hair and deep gray eyes. She worked with famed designers like Vera Wang and landed a coveted spot on the pages of Vogue magazine. But the 20-year-old’s life came to a sudden end in 2008 when she apparently fell from the ninth floor balcony of her Manhattan apartment. Her death was eventually ruled a suicide.

5. Mia Amber Davis
Plus size model Mia Amber Davis made a name for herself in the modeling and movie worlds.  The “Road Trip” actress also worked as a television producer and style consultant. But Davis’ career was cut short. She died at age 35 of a blood clot in her lungs.