A US Army servicewoman with a popular fitness and fashion account on Instagram has died by suicide. Staff Sergeant Michelle Young, 34 left behind a 12-year-old daughter.
“Our good friend and athlete Michelle was taken from us by suicide. Michelle was a beautiful soul, an amazing friend, a single mother, a soldier, and is proof you never know what someone is going through or what demons they may be fighting. We will never fill the gaps in our hearts and will always be left with questions why,” friend Sarah Maine wrote on Young’s GoFundMe page. Nearly $32,000 has been raised on her page.
Young, with more than 100,000 Instagram followers, modeled apparel from a female-veterans-focused athletic attire company. She also advocated for better mental health treatment for US veterans while combating homelessness among former soldiers. “Michelle is survived by her daughter Gracie, who was her whole world. NOTHING can replace her mother, but the purpose of this is to help her daughter Gracie with anything she may need. We know Michelle would appreciate us all looking out for her now,” the page added.
Young had served in the army for 16 years, first enlisting when she was about 18 years old, according to The New York Post. US media reported that she completed two tours in Afghanistan. A few days before her death, Young posted a birthday message on her Insta account for her daughter. “Happy birthday to the sweetest girl I’ve ever known,” she wrote. “The best part about my life is being your momma.”
Young’s friends recalled how close Young and Gracie were, with their endearing photos showing a loving mother and daughter. The circumstance which led to Young’s suicide remains unclear. “From the outside looking in it looked like she had it all,” Maine wrote in a separate post. “Mental illness is so prevalent, especially in the military. We need to find a way to do better.”
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