Tragic male model Jeff Thomas’s agent has suggested he may have fallen to his death while taking a selfie, after the clotheshorse’s brother said his sibling had died due to addiction and mental health issues.
Luli Batista of The Sovereign Talent Group told DailyMail.com says she was so shocked by 35 year-old Daniels sudden death at his Miami apartment tower on March 8 that she believes it may have been a tragic accident.
‘I just can’t believe it’s true that he intentionally did this. He may have fallen while he was taking a selfie,’ she said.
Batista said that the last time they spoke was on Tuesday – less than 24 hours before before his shock death – the pair had been exchanging text messages and joking regarding an upcoming audition.
They had scheduled phone call on Friday to catch up. ‘He couldn’t wait to tell me about his move to Miami. He seemed thrilled and was proud of himself. He was happy, motivated and excited for his next step just loving life.’
She added, ‘I am so stunned. He was such a beautiful and sweet boy.’
Batista’s claim is contrary to a Facebook post shared by Thomas’ brother Skylar Ray Thomas, which implied the death was the result of suicide after he battled addiction and mental health issues.
Thomas’ cousin Meghan Rae disputed the suicide claim to DailyMail.com earlier this week, although police are currently working under the assumption that Thomas did take his own life.
Skylar wrote: ‘Dear friends and family,
‘It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of my brother, Jeff on Wednesday, March 8th.
‘As you have followed through the years, Jeff traveled the world and lived life to the fullest. What you may not know, is Jeff struggled with addiction and mental health challenges, which ultimately led to his tragic passing.’
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Further details on the drugs Jeff had been using and the mental health issues he had been battling were kept private.
The post went on to describe Jeff’s struggle as ‘difficult,’ but paid tribute to his ‘sense of humor, love for music, art and family.’
Skylar went on to urge anyone else battling similar issues to seek help.
Thomas died on March 8, after being found dead at the bottom of his apartment complex. The police are investigating his death as a possible suicide, but Jeff’s cousin Meghan Rae insisted to DailyMail.com that he did not take his own life.
She said: ‘This was not a suicide. To report otherwise is a complete disregard to his character and who he was,’ she said.
‘The information being published is false and defamatory. No further comments will be made by our family. Please respect our privacy and his memory during this difficult time.’
Thomas was a successful model with 120,000 followers on Instagram, where he regularly posted photos of his impressive physique in a range of envy-inducing locales.
He lived in a 57-floor tower on Miami’s Brickell Avenue located near the trendy downtown Miami area.
Batista said her late client was a humble man who did not take himself too seriously, and who had a great sense of humor.
During their text exchange a day before he died, she said they were having a laugh.
‘We were talking about a funny audition that I had for him that involved some type of petty fight. We laughed about it and he told me how he is a comedian at heart, she said.
She said on Friday when they were supposed to speak on the phone he was planning to tell her about the next chapter in his life.
‘He had started a new business – though I didn’t know what it was yet.’
She added, ‘I am just stunned. I don’t even know how to react.’