Irish model Mairead O’Neill has died suddenly – just months after losing her mum to bowel cancer.
The Belfast native was pronounced dead in Monday night, just hours after uploading videos on Instagram showing her enjoying a night out with friends.
The 21-year-old had been mourning the loss of her mum Karean Pelan, who died 10 months ago after battling bowel cancer.
Mairead had worked for CMPR Models, and agency boss Cathy Martin has since paid tribute to her, and revealed that she was modelling for her since she was a teenager.
She told Belfast Live: “Mairead was a clever, grounded and very smart young lady who was beautiful. She had been modelling for me for about six years and was doing very well.
“She had a lot of strengths and had a Kardashian look that people loved. But what was most charming about her is that she really had no idea that she had the world at her feet.”
“It’s such a shock to hear that Mairead has passed away. We don’t know exactly what happened but she has been having a very difficult time following the death of her mum from bowel cancer.
“She had a lot of support but her heart was broken. It’s so sad to think that she is gone now too,” she added.
Meanwhile, a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: “Police attended the scene of a sudden death of a woman in the south Belfast area on Monday October 15. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
