WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT: Kagney Linn Karter, best-known for her roles in X-rated adult films, has died at the age of 36 after taking her own life as fans rush to pay tribute.
Kagney Linn Karter has died after taking her own life aged 36, her friends have confirmed.
The Hot and Mean star passed away on Thursday (February 15) at her home in Parma in Ohio, US, TMZ reports. Her pals have since paid tribute to Karter and set up a GoFundMe in her honour.
The page read: “Unfortunately, despite all of her many impressive accomplishments and talents, Kagney struggled with mental health issues as the years passed by.” The money raised will go towards supporting Karter’s mother, Tina, to cover the cost of her daughter’s memorial and any additional funds will be donated to an animal rescue.
Karter’s friends said she struggled with her mental health (file) (Image: FilmMagic)
The Evil Angel actress entered the adult film industry in the mid-2000s after moving to Los Angeles. She scooped up a number of AVN (Adult Video News) awards for her work and also modelled.
Karter then left the glitz and glamour of California for Ohio where she became a regular at a pole dancing studio before eventually opening her own – and leaving the world of pornography behind. In a touching tribute to Karter the studio owners wrote: “She immediately warmed to the studio and all the students with an effortless grace, and it soon felt as if she had always been apart of the studio, from the very beginning.”
Her friends added: “Even in her darkest days, however, she still showed up to the studio, always ready to learn, contribute, better herself in whatever small way she could manage. As alone as she undoubtedly felt within the confines of her own head, she continued to make an effort to show up for her friends and the community who cared about her.
“She fought her own battles with the same tenacity and drive she showed in every other area of her life, with as much strength as she could.”
Karter was last seen alive by pals at a pole class on February 7. “The news sank like a stone in our hearts,” her friends continued. “The horrible reality of a studio without Kagney – a community without her – seemed all wrong. Unnatural. Too difficult to accept.”
Fans were also quick to leave tributes to the star. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) one wrote: “That’s sad,” while another added: “Rip.”
A third chimed in: “Rip Kagney wow,” while a fourth added: “One of the best.”
