NEW YORK — Sophie Nyweide, a former child actor who appeared in films alongside Jessica Alba, Michelle Williams and Russell Crowe, died on Monday, April 14, according to an obituary published by her family. She was 24.

Nyweide was born in Burlington, Vermont, and spent most of her life between Vermont and New York City. No official cause of death was provided.

Nyweide began her acting career at age 5 and appeared in 12 film and television productions between 2006 and 2015. Her credits include the 2009 film “Mammoth” with Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal, “An Invisible Sign” in 2010 with Jessica Alba, and Darren Aronofsky’s 2014 Biblical epic “Noah” starring Russell Crowe.

Film critic Jeannette Catsoulis praised Nyweide’s performance in “An Invisible Sign,” writing in The New York Times in 2011 that “the film’s best performance comes from a 10-year-old” and that Nyweide “should have a glowing future.”

In addition to acting, Nyweide was an avid snowboarder who began competing at age 5.

“She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else. It was a safe place for her,” her family wrote in the obituary. They described her as “creative, athletic and wise beyond her years” with an “infectious passion and zest.”

Her family did not provide details about her death, but the obituary indicated that she experienced trauma during her life and requested donations be made in her name to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).

“Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others,” the obituary said. “She wrote and drew voraciously and much of this art depicts the depth she had and it also represents the pain she suffered.” 

The obituary continued that Nyweide “self-medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death.”

Her family noted that despite efforts from loved ones, therapists and law enforcement officers to help her, Nyweide “repeatedly said she would ‘handle it’ on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life.”

“Sophie. A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain,” the obituary concluded. “May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better.”

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available. RAINN provides 24/7 support online or by phone at 800-656-HOPE.