Porn star Sophia Leone, 26, was found "unresponsive" in her apartment by her family on March 1, her stepfather revealed on Saturday.
Mike Romero, Leone's stepfather, has opened a fundraiser for her memorial on GoFundMe. The post has received $9,245 from 101 donations out of the $12,000 goal when this report was published.
"On behalf of her mother and family, it is with a heavy heart that I have to share the news of our beloved Sophia's passing," Romero said. "The sudden loss of Sophia has left her family and friends devastated and in shock. On top of the difficult process of grieving and seeking justice for Sophia, the family is also facing the financial burden that they were not prepared for."
How did Sophia Leone die?
Romero said the police have launched a probe into the cause of Leone's death.
Her modelling agency, 101 Modeling, said Leone didn't die of suicide, adding that her death was being probed as a "home invasion homicide".
Sophia Leone was born on June 10, 1997, in Miami. She joined the adult industry at the age of 18.
