Twelve days ago, local homicide detectives were called to a Northeast Albuquerque apartment complex to investigate a woman’s death after she was found “unresponsive” by her family.
Now it’s been more than a week and her death has been reported by national — and even international — outlets, including the New York Post, The Daily Beast, Parade Magazine and news agencies as far away as India. The articles link to a GoFundMe page set up by the woman’s stepfather and include her last missive on Instagram where she posted a picture of herself throwing peace signs and smiling with the caption: “Go outside and just appreciate life a little extra today.”
All the attention is because the woman who died was Brianna Navarro — an adult film star who went by the name Sophia Leone. She has appeared in more than 80 erotic TV series and videos, according to her IMDb page.
It’s also because an adult talent agency, 101 Modeling, which said it represented the 26-year-old, posted on social media that she was killed.
“To be clear, Sophia’s death is being investigated as a robbery and homicide,” the agency wrote in a post on X. Later it included that the case “is being investigated as a home invasion homicide.”
But there is little indication from the Albuquerque Police Department that this was a “home invasion homicide” — or even a homicide necessarily. A couple of days after detectives were called to the scene at the Mountain Run apartment complex on Eubank Blvd NE, police changed the investigation’s designation to a “suspicious death.”
On Wednesday, APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos told City Desk ABQ that the Office of the Medical Investigator did an autopsy on Leone and “did not find any trauma.” He said they have not yet determined her cause of death.
“They are waiting for toxicology results,” Gallegos said.
He said he and others at APD have been inundated with calls from all the news agencies.
Representatives of 101 Modeling did not respond to emailed questions asking about their assertion that Leone’s death was a home invasion homicide or robbery and homicide. Leone’s stepfather also did not respond to an email.
On the GoFundMe page raising money for the “investigation, funeral expenses, and any other costs that may arise as the family works through this heartbreak” Leone’s stepfather described her as a “beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend.”
“She had a deep love for all animals, specifically her three pets,” he wrote. “She enjoyed traveling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile.”
The GoFundMe page has raised more than $14,000 and is not taking more donations.
The modeling agency said on X — formerly Twitter — that it is “going to take time off social media because this is difficult. 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.”
It has re-posted numerous users who are mourning Leone, including one who said “She was such a beautiful girl and from the sentiments I’m reading from people she was just such a joy of a person to be around and a true light.”
On the death of the adult actress I thought it was March 1st authorities were called out? this is indicating eleven days ago which would be March 2nd
Today is March 13th