Tragic male model Jeff Thomas ‘battled addiction and mental health issues’ that ended up killing him in a Miami apartment fall, his grieving brother says
- Jeff’s brother, Skylar, said his late brother had struggled with multiple issues before his death on March 8.
- But 35-year-old cousin Meghan Rae told DailyMail.com that Jeff’s death was not a suicide.
- Police are currently working on the assumption that Jeff took his own life, but are continuing to investigate.
Male model Jeff Thomas had battled addiction and mental health issues before throwing himself to his death from the balcony of his Miami apartment, his brother said.
Skylar Thomas made the sad revelation on Facebook earlier this week, while sharing the news of her 35-year-old brother’s passing.
Skylar wrote: ‘Dear friends and family,
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of my brother, Jeff, on Wednesday, March 8.
‘As you have followed through the years, Jeff traveled the world and lived life to the fullest. What you may not know is that Jeff battled addiction and mental health issues, which ultimately led to his tragic passing.
Jeff is pictured, on the right, with his brother Skylar in the center. Skylar has revealed that his late brother had been battling addiction and mental health issues prior to his death at age 35.
Further details about the drugs Jeff had been using and the mental health issues he had been struggling with were kept private.
The post went on to describe Jeff’s struggle as “difficult” but paid tribute to his “sense of humor, love of music, art and family.”
Skylar urged anyone else struggling with similar issues to seek help.
Jeff died on March 8, after being found dead in the back of his apartment complex. Police are investigating his death as a possible suicide, but Jeff’s cousin Meghan Rae insisted to DailyMail.com that she did not take her own life.
She said: ‘This was not a suicide. To report otherwise is a complete disregard to her character and who she was,” she said.
‘The information that is published is false and defamatory. Our family will not comment further. Please respect our privacy and his memory during this difficult time.”
Jeff was a successful model with 120,000 followers on Instagram, where he regularly posted photos of his stunning physique in a variety of envy-inducing locations.
He lived in a 57-story tower on Brickell Avenue in Miami. Thomas’ agent, who asked not to be named, said his late client was a humble man who didn’t take himself too seriously and had a great sense of humor.
She said that she had been texting him just a few hours before her death and that Jeff seemed to be in good spirits.
The agent explained: “He was in a good mood and excited to tell me about his move to Miami and the next chapter of his life.” He had started a new business, though he still didn’t know what he was.
“We were talking about a fun audition I had for him that involved some kind of petty fight. We laughed about it and he told me that he is a comedian at heart. I am stunned. I don’t even know how to react.