Sophia Leone is seen in two self-portraits.
The mysterious death of a woman who acted in adult films is being examined as a homicide, as per her agency partners who have worked with her for a long time.
Sophia Leone was 26 when her family found her unconscious in her Albuquerque apartment on March 1, a GoFundMe initiated by Leone’s stepfather, Mike Romero, states.
The online fundraiser shared the news of Leone’s death and aims to collect funds for her funeral and other expenses her family faces following her sudden passing.
On March 9, 101 Modeling posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the starlet’s death is “being investigated as a robbery and homicide.”
“We’re going to take time off social media because this is difficult,” the agency mentioned. “But we do appreciate seeing the stories from people who knew her. We all agree she was a sweetheart, kind, and gentle. We all love her.”
Law&Crime contacted the Albuquerque Police Department for information on the investigation into Leone’s death, but did not receive an immediate response at the time of publication.
One local media outlet, however, cast doubt on the claims of murder.
According to Albuquerque-based NBC affiliate KOB, police stated that the March 1 death of a woman at the Mountain Run Apartments is still considered suspicious, but not a homicide.
The TV station quotes a police spokesperson who stated that the department’s initial investigation did not find any signs of physical harm on the woman. Importantly, law enforcement have not revealed the deceased woman’s name yet. Authorities are reportedly still awaiting results from the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator to determine her cause of death.
While there are uncertainties about how Leone died and how local law enforcement are handling her death, her friends and family are grieving and remembering her fondly.
“Sophia was a beloved Daughter, Sister, Grand Daughter, Niece and Friend,” Romero wrote on the GoFundMe, which was closed to donations shortly after surpassing its $12,000 goal. “She had a deep love for all animals, particularly her 3 pets. She enjoyed traveling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile.”
Using a combination of heart and heartbreak emoji, fellow adult actress Dharma Louise Jones recalled Leone on X.
“[S]he was one of the 1st people I met in the industry when I was new,” the post states. “We were staying at the same model house & I was having trouble falling asleep because of anxiety. I remember we stayed up & talked all night. I’ll never forget her kindness.”
The Miami-born entertainer had 401 credits to her name, according to the Internet Adult Film Database. She began acting in pornographic films at the age of 18 in the Sunshine State with AMA Modeling.
Brian Berke, who operates the Florida-based agency, has been publicly discussing the sudden death of his friend.
“At 18 years old you started with me at AMA and now at 26 I have to say goodbye,” Berke wrote on X. “We had a strong connection. Always reminding each other how much we cared. I was meant to be your protector. A part of me is gone. I adore you, Sophia.”
Berke also talked to KOB about Leone’s death.
“It’s just been, you can’t even imagine what happened, and, you know, obviously in this industry so many people care,” he told the TV station. “She was loved, nobody would ever say a negative thing about her. She was just an extraordinary girl and I really hope they find who did this.”
Sophia Leone at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. in March 2023.
An picture of Leone shared on the fundraiser for her family shows the actress dressed all in pink and white, standing and smiling under a cherry blossom tree — a plant that blooms for just a couple, at most a few, weeks around the onset of spring.
That image, from Leone’s Instagram, was taken at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., in late March 2023.
This year, cherry blossom blooms are reaching their highest point far sooner than usual.