Child Star Sophie Nyweide Dies at 24, Police Probe 'Untimely Death'

Sophie Nyweide, the actress who charmed audiences in "Law & Order," "Noah," and "Mammoth," has died at just 24 years old. Police in Bennington, Vermont, are investigating what they’re calling an "untimely death" after responding to a call about an unresponsive woman near the banks of the Roaring Branch River in the early hours of April 14. Despite first responders’ efforts, Nyweide was declared dead at the scene around 5 a.m.

Authorities confirmed that someone was with Nyweide at the time, and that person is cooperating fully. While investigators suspect a possible unintentional overdose, they’re leaving no stone unturned in their probe, as is standard for cases like this. The investigation remains open as officials work to piece together the circumstances leading up to her passing.

Adding another layer of heartbreak, Nyweide’s death certificate revealed she was pregnant at the time. Details about her pregnancy remain unclear, but the news has only deepened the sense of loss among her loved ones and fans.

Nyweide’s mother, Shelly Gibson—herself a former TV star—paid tribute to her daughter on social media, writing, "RIP, my Sophie. She graced us for far too short a time. My daughter was a light for all who met her. For those of us who were truly close with Sophie, we are gutted and will need a long time to get over her passing. I know I never will. God I love my daughter. I want her back. Fly high sweetheart – you always could."

The family’s obituary described Sophie as a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, and new aunt. They remembered her as creative, athletic, and wise beyond her years—someone who accomplished a lot in her short life, and who literally danced through it.

Her family said she was happiest on a movie set, slipping into new roles and soaking up experiences wherever she traveled. She wrote and drew prolifically, channeling both her creativity and her pain into her art. The obituary also acknowledged the struggles Sophie faced, and expressed heartbreak that despite the efforts of loved ones, therapists, and others, those struggles ultimately proved insurmountable.

From the sound of it, Sophie Nyweide was born for the spotlight—she dreamed of acting before even knowing about her mother’s career, and took to it with an effortless flair that wowed everyone around her.