Amanda, a young woman who became a popular subject of the YouTube series “Soft White Underbelly”, has passed away at the age of 25. Her death was announced in a video uploaded by the channel on May 15, 2021. In the video, her father and Lima Jevremovic, who had helped Amanda get treatment for her drug addiction and trauma, paid tribute to her and shared the details of her demise.
Who was Amanda?
Amanda was one of the many people who were interviewed by Mark Laita, a former commercial photographer, who created the YouTube channel “Soft White Underbelly” in 2016. The channel features interviews and portraits of people who are often marginalized and stigmatized by society, such as homeless people, sex workers, drug addicts, gang members, and victims of abuse.
Amanda first appeared on the channel in December 2019, when she shared her story of being a sex worker and a crack cocaine addict on Skid Row, a notorious area in Los Angeles known for its high concentration of poverty and crime. She revealed that she had been raped and beaten multiple times by her clients and pimps, and that she had lost several teeth and suffered a black eye as a result. She also said that she had been homeless since she was 15 years old, and that she had no contact with her family.
In March 2020, Amanda appeared on the channel again, this time with a noticeable improvement in her appearance and demeanor. She said that she had been sober for two months, thanks to the help of Jevremovic, who had reached out to her after seeing her first interview. Jevremovic, who is the CEO of a digital health platform called AURA, offered to sponsor Amanda’s treatment and recovery at a residential facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Amanda accepted the offer and moved to Las Vegas, where she underwent therapy and counseling to address her addiction and trauma. She also received dental implants, a tattoo removal, and a makeover. She said that she felt “happy” and “clearheaded” for the first time in her life, and that she had plans to become a certified nursing assistant and work with autistic children, like her brother.
How did Amanda die?
According to Jevremovic, Amanda died on May 9, 2021, while she was still at the residential facility in Las Vegas. She said that the staff found Amanda in her room, thinking that she was peacefully sleeping, but realized that she had passed away. She said that there was no foul play or self-harm involved, and that Amanda died of natural causes.
However, Jevremovic also said that Amanda’s death was likely caused by the physical damage that she had sustained from her long-term drug use and the violent rapes and beatings that she had endured on the streets of Los Angeles. She said that Amanda had suffered from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that affected her cognitive and emotional functions, and that her body was unable to heal from the years of abuse.
Jevremovic said that they were waiting for the full autopsy report to confirm the exact cause of Amanda’s death, but that they were certain that it was not related to her treatment or recovery. She said that Amanda had been doing well in her program, and that she was about to transition to outpatient care. She said that Amanda had been sober for almost a year, and that she had no cravings or relapses.
How did people react to Amanda’s death?
Amanda’s death shocked and saddened many people who had followed her story on “Soft White Underbelly”. The video announcing her death has received over 2.5 million views and over 40,000 comments, most of them expressing condolences, sympathy, and admiration for Amanda. Many people said that Amanda was an inspiration and a hero, and that they were proud of her for overcoming her challenges and pursuing her dreams.
Some of the comments on the video are:
“Rest in peace Amanda. You were such a beautiful soul and I’m so glad you got to experience happiness and peace in your last year. You touched so many lives and you will never be forgotten.”
“I’m heartbroken. Amanda was my favorite person on this channel. She was so brave and strong and resilient. She deserved so much more. I hope she knew how much she was loved and supported by strangers all over the world.”
“This is devastating. Amanda was such a bright light in this dark world. She had so much potential and so much to offer. She was a fighter and a survivor. She made me believe that anything is possible. I’m so grateful that she got to experience some joy and comfort in her life. She will always be in my heart.”
Jevremovic and Laita also expressed their grief and gratitude for Amanda. Jevremovic said that Amanda was like a daughter to her, and that she was honored to have been part of her journey. She said that Amanda had taught her a lot about life, love, and compassion, and that she hoped that Amanda’s story would inspire others to seek help and change their lives.
Laita, who had interviewed Amanda four times, said that Amanda was one of his favorite subjects, and that he was amazed by her transformation and courage. He said that Amanda had a positive impact on millions of people, and that he was proud of her for sharing her story and showing her vulnerability. He said that Amanda was a beautiful person, inside and out, and that he would miss her dearly.
