The cause of death for Sophie Nyweide, who passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 24, has not been officially determined. However, information available from her family’s obituary and ongoing police investigations provides some insight.
Cause of Death Revealed
According to the obituary published by her family, Sophie Nyweide “self-medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death.” The obituary further stated that she “repeatedly said she would ‘handle it’ on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life.” Her family described her as a “kind and trusting girl” who was often “open to being taken advantage of by others.” They noted that her writings and artwork depicted the depth of her pain and struggles.
However, the Bennington Police Department in Vermont, where Nyweide’s body was found on a riverbank near a high school, has stated that the cause of death is still under investigation. While a man who was with her at the time of her death is cooperating with authorities and is not considered a suspect at this time, police have not ruled out foul play. An autopsy, including a toxicology report, is still pending.
Lieutenant Camillo Grande of the Bennington Police Department clarified that the investigation is open and no further information is available at this time. Police are also seeking to interview other individuals who were reportedly with Nyweide before her death. Therefore, while her family’s obituary suggests that her death was the result of self-medication stemming from trauma, the official cause of death is still under investigation by the authorities, with an autopsy and toxicology report yet to be completed.
Sophie Nyweide’s Acting Career
Nyweide began her acting career at a young age, making her debut in the 2006 film Bella. She went on to appear in other movies, including Margot at the Wedding (2007), where she shared a scene with Nicole Kidman, and Mammoth (2009), playing the daughter of Michelle Williams and Gael Garcia Bernal’s characters. An Invisible Sign (2010) alongside Jessica Alba, and Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic Noah (2014), where she acted alongside Russell Crowe. Her last on-screen role was in a 2015 episode of the reality series What Would You Do?
Sophie Nyweide’s mother, Shelly Gibson, who is also a former actress, told The Hollywood Reporter that the police in Bennington are investigating her daughter’s death. In a statement to TMZ, Gibson mentioned that her daughter has been using drugs and was with other people she did not know when she died. She also stated the autopsy results were expected in six to eight weeks, making it impossible for her to comment definitively on the cause of death at this time. Gibson stressed that her daughter was always safe while working in Hollywood and asked for peace for her.
In their obituary, Nyweide’s family requested that donations be made in her memory to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), highlighting the trauma she experienced in her life. They concluded with a message: “Sophie. A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain. May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better.”
In addition to her acting career, Nyweide was described as creative and athletic. Her family mentioned that she was an avid snowboarder who started competing at the age of five. They noted her passion and zest for life.
