'Rising Star' Snowboarder Ellie Soutter Dies by Apparent Suicide at 18

Snowboarder Ellie Soutter died suddenly on Wednesday, Mirror reported. Although the cause of death has not been released, her family said she died by suicide on her 18th birthday. She was “a rising star in British snowboarding,” and won bronze at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival last year. She was predicted to have a shot competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Fellow athletes like Australian snowboarder Emily Arthur have been posting tributes to the young snowboarder on social media.

View this post on Instagram

Forever going to remeber all the beautiful times we had together. You are my Best Friend and always will be. Heaven gained someone special, and I’m so happy to have known you. To the most beautiful, talented, kind girl I know, Happy 18th Beautiful Ellie xx

A post shared by EM ???? (@emily_arthur) on Jul 26, 2018 at 4:03pm PDT

Such sad tragic news to wake up to. Thoughts and prayers go to Ellie Soutter’s family. #Elliesoutter https://t.co/Pfq6HMXSlG

— Amy Williams (@AmyWilliamsMBE) July 27, 2018

So sad to hear the news of the passing of @elliesoutter You really were an amazing girl! Such a fun teammate, made me smile everyday, cracking all the jokes and enjoying life to it’s fullest! I’m going to miss you and your amazing energy. ???? All my thoughts to your family ???? pic.twitter.com/0VyswjMQuB

— Emily Sarsfield (@EmSkiCross) July 26, 2018

The British Olympic Association is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of snowboard cross athlete Ellie Soutter, aged 18.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.https://t.co/MyyHv2Kf2z pic.twitter.com/3LpQHqOhH4

— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 26, 2018

According to her site, Soutter was one of the most progressive junior female snowboard athletes of Great Britain. At the time of her death, she was living in Les Gets in the French Alps.

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. If you’re in the UK, call 116 123. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available