A U.S. Army soldier with a popular fitness and fashion account on Instagram has died by suicide, shocked friends shared on Saturday.
Sergeant Michelle Young, 34, took her own life, leaving behind her 12-year-old daughter's friend, who was described as “her whole world” in a heartbreaking GoFundMe post.
“Michelle was a beautiful soul, a wonderful friend, a single mom, and a military man. It's proof that you never know what someone is going through or what demons they are battling,” her friend Sarah Mayne wrote on the page. I wrote this.
“The void in our hearts will never be filled and there will always be questions,” she added.
Young has served in the military for 16 years, first enlisting when he was about 18 years old. During that time, she completed two tours in Afghanistan. daily mail report.
A few days before news of his death broke, Young posted a birthday message to his daughter Gracie on Instagram.
“Happy birthday to the sweetest girl I've ever known,” she wrote. “The best thing in my life was being your mom.”
Friends recalled how close Young and Gracie were as countless photos of the loving mother and daughter were posted on social media. Just this past Halloween, they dressed up as Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Young has amassed more than 100,000 followers on her Instagram account, where she modeled apparel for a sportswear company focused on female veterans. The influencer advocated for improved mental health treatment for veterans while fighting homelessness among veterans.
She also volunteered as a crisis trauma response volunteer at a local shelter.
In September, she posted for Suicide Prevention Week, recalling how her brother took his own life when she was 14, and urging anyone suffering to reach out.
What led to Mr. Young's suicide remains unclear.
“From the outside looking in, she seemed to have it all,” Mayne wrote in another post. “Mental illness is especially prevalent in the military. We need to find ways to do better.”
Young's GoFundMe page has raised nearly $25,000. Funds will be donated directly to her daughter.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit the following link: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
