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Lucy Markovic, who rose to fame as a runner-up Australia's Next Top Model and went on to work with Versace and Amarni, has died aged 27. The model had posted about her health condition on social media in March, explaining to fans she needed surgery because of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) "the size of a golf ball". She had said the surgery was due for March 26, but it was changed to April 2.
On Thursday night, a story posted to her Instagram account said the 27-year-old was "battling for her life". Markovic's death was announced via an Instagram story in the early hours of Friday morning. "I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed," the post said.
"She was at peace. "Me, her mother and my mother were present with her. "We ask you to please give us space in these hard times.
" Her talent agency, Elite Model Management, confirmed her death a few hours later. Fashion figures mourn 'shining light' Donatella Versace, former creative director of Versace, reposted tributes to Markovic on Instagram. "I am so sorry to hear the news," Versace said.
"Rest in peace darling girl." Elite Model Management called Markovic a "shining light" in a tribute on social media. "Modelling was one of Lucy's dreams, and we are deeply honoured to have been part of that journey with her," the company said.
"She brought elegance, strength, and beauty to her work. "But more than that, she brought herself — her warmth, her laughter, her light. "To her family and friends, please know that you are in our prayers and in our hearts.
"We mourn with you, and we celebrate the incredible person Lucy was. "We will never forget her." Marvokic appeared on season nine of Australia's Next Top Model in 2015, when she was just 17.
She came in very close second place to Brittany Beattie, . Marvokic continued her modelling career, building on her portfolio in the past decade to work with brands including Versace, Armani and Victoria Beckham. What is a brain AVM? A brain arteriovenous malformation is a "tangled mesh of abnormal blood vessels" in the brain, .
These abnormalities form before a person's born. AVMs can cause bleeding on the brain, which a serious medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalisation. Symptoms of a bleeding AVM include seizures, vision changes, severe headaches and muscle weakness.
It's estimated that AVMs occur in three of every 10,000 people. "AVMs that haemorrhage can lead to serious neurological problems, and sometimes death," the Brain Foundation says. "However, some people have AVMs that never cause problems.
" Markovic posted about her treatment on Instagram back in March. She told fans she was "Excited, thankful, scared, supported, hopeful" heading into her surgery. Followers have since flocked to the comments section to post tributes to the model.
"I hope the family find some peace and comfort knowing she was so loved [and] admired by many people! She will be remembered," one posted. "It’s hard to understand how such a beautiful soul can be taken from this world, while so much darkness remains," another said..
