Amanda Rabb, a young woman who shared her story of addiction and recovery on the popular YouTube series “Soft White Underbelly”, died on May 9, 2021, at the age of 25. Her death shocked and saddened her fans, who had witnessed her transformation from a crack-cocaine-addicted sex worker to a sober and hopeful person. What was the cause of her death and what can we learn from her life?
A Life of Trauma and Abuse
Amanda Rabb was born in Los Angeles, California, to a drug-addicted mother and an absent father. She grew up in foster care, where she suffered physical and sexual abuse. She ran away from home at the age of 14 and ended up on Skid Row, a notorious area of downtown LA where homeless people, drug dealers, and criminals congregate.
On Skid Row, Amanda became addicted to crack cocaine and worked as a sex worker to support her habit. She was repeatedly raped and beaten by her clients and pimps, who also stole her money and belongings. She lost several teeth and suffered multiple injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) that affected her memory and cognition.
A Glimpse of Hope
In December 2019, Amanda was approached by Mark Laita, a photographer who runs the YouTube channel “Soft White Underbelly”. Laita’s project aims to document the lives of marginalized people, such as addicts, prostitutes, gang members, and mentally ill people, in an honest and compassionate way.
Amanda agreed to be interviewed by Laita and shared her story of addiction and abuse. She also revealed that she had a brother who was autistic and that she wanted to get clean and help him. She appeared on the channel again in March 2020, with a black eye and missing teeth, and said that she was still struggling with her addiction and living on the streets.
Laita and his viewers were moved by Amanda’s story and wanted to help her. They raised money to send her to a rehab facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she received medical and psychological treatment. She also reconnected with her father, Larry, who had been looking for her for years.
A Tragic End
Amanda made remarkable progress in her recovery and stayed sober for almost a year. She appeared on the channel for the last time in April 2021, looking healthy and happy. She said that she felt clearheaded and optimistic about her future. She wanted to become a certified nursing assistant and work with autistic children, like her brother.
However, on May 9, 2021, Amanda was found dead in her room at the rehab facility. According to Lima Jevremovic, the CEO of the digital health platform AURA, who had helped Amanda get treatment, Amanda died of natural causes. She said that Amanda’s long-term drug use and the TBI’s she sustained from the rapes and beatings had damaged her body and brain beyond repair.
Jevremovic also said that Amanda had been under 24/7 supervision and that there was no foul play or self-harm involved in her death. She said that Amanda had died peacefully in her sleep and that she had been happy and grateful for the support she had received.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Amanda’s death was announced on the “Soft White Underbelly” channel in a video titled “Amanda (May, 2021)”. The video featured Amanda’s father and Jevremovic, who paid tribute to Amanda and thanked the viewers for their donations and prayers. The video also showed clips of Amanda’s previous interviews, where she spoke candidly about her life and her hopes.
The video has received over 3 million views and thousands of comments from fans who expressed their condolences and admiration for Amanda. Many said that Amanda had inspired them to overcome their own challenges and to help others in need. Some said that Amanda had changed their perception of addiction and homelessness and that they had learned to be more empathetic and compassionate.
Amanda’s story is a testament to the power of human resilience and kindness. Despite the hardships and horrors she endured, she never gave up on herself or her dreams. She also touched the lives of millions of people who watched her videos and rooted for her. Amanda may be gone, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and loved her.
