YouTuber and influencer Annabelle Ham is confirmed to have died due to an 'epileptic event' at just 22 years old.
Annabelle, from Georgia, passed away on Saturday (15 July), after having risen to fame online by sharing makeup tips and vlogging about her life as a student at Kennesaw State University student.
News of her death was confirmed by her family in a post on Annabelle's Instagram account, where she had more than 74,000 followers.
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The statement read: "This is Annabelle’s family. We’re writing this with heavy, heavy hearts. Annabelle experienced an epileptic event and has gone on to the gates of heaven."
Epilepsy affects the brain and can cause frequent seizures which temporarily affect how the brain works.
The Epilepsy Foundation explains that the most serious complications of the condition include getting injured or dying from seizures.
In some cases, someone with epilepsy who is otherwise healthy may die unexpectedly (SUDEP), with no other cause of death found in an autopsy.
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The foundation states that more than 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP. It's unclear whether this was the case with Annabelle.
The influencer's family went on to say that Annabelle had 'struggled' with epilepsy for a long time, and hope to raise awareness of the condition.
"We will do [this] in honor of her," the family continued.
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"Annabelle was beautiful and inspiring and lived life to the fullest. Everyone she met was inspired by her energy and the light inside her soul that shined so bright. She was, and will forever be, so so loved."
Annabelle's two sisters, Amelia and Alexandria, shared tributes of their own to their sister, with Alexandria saying there will 'never be words for how heartbroken' the family is.
" Annabelle was such a light to the world. A spark-plug. If you knew Annabelle, you loved her and loved being around her. She loved others so well too. Please keep my family in your prayers," she wrote.
Amelia added: "Annabelle was such a good sister to Alexandria, and me. she was amazing, she has gone to so many places seen and done so many things. she was so sweet, so pretty with the most bluest eyes ever, she was always happy and lighted up every room. But god was ready for her."
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The Beta Zeta chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, of which Annabelle was a member, described Annabelle as 'such a light' in the chapter.
"She had an amazing impact on each and every sister in Beta Zeta. She was caring, selfless and carried so much love inside of her heart," it said in a statement.
Topics: Health, YouTube, US News