Identities

Cops Reveal Possible Cause of Death for Former Child Star

SHOCK DEVELOPMENT

Sophie Nyweide, 24, was found “lifeless” on a riverbank on April 14.

Actress Sophie Nyweide arrives for the screening of the movie "Bella" at Florence Gould Hall on July 27, 2007 in New York City.
Scott Wintrow/Getty Images for NYILFF

Officials in Vermont told The Daily Beast that the investigation into the death of former child actress Sophie Nyweide is “fluid.” On April 14, Bennington Rescue personnel discovered the 24-year-old star’s “lifeless” body in a wooded area by the banks of the Roaring Branch River. “This is a fluid investigation and we are still waiting on final autopsy and toxicology reports from the Vermont Office of Chief Medical Examiner,” Bennington police said in a statement. Earlier Wednesday, TMZ reported that the Bennington Police Department’s officers are considering “a range of possible causes, including foul play,” but Lieutenant Camillo Grande told the Daily Mail that he does not specifically suspect foul play. He told The Daily Beast that investigators were treating the death as “a possible unintentional overdose.” Nyweide was discovered with a man at the time of her death, who is now “cooperating with cops,” although he is not yet being considered a suspect or person of interest. The child actress’ family confirmed her death on Tuesday and shared her struggles in a candid obituary. Nyweide’s mother, Shelly, shared a statement with TMZ on Tuesday. “My knowledge is she was using drugs and was a tiny young woman,” she said. “She was with other people when she died. I didn’t know them. There is an investigation ongoing. The autopsy results are not in. They said it would take six to eight weeks.”

Read it at TMZ