Hollywood horror: Child actress Sophie Nyweide found dead in Vermont at age 24, cops investigating foul play

Sophie Nyweide, a former child actress known for her roles in films such as Noah and Margot at the Wedding, passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 24. Authorities in Bennington, Vermont, are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, with foul play being considered among the possible causes.​

Nyweide was found near a makeshift outdoor structure in Vermont around 4 a.m. local time. A man present at the scene is cooperating with the police and is not considered a suspect. Law enforcement officials are seeking to interview others who were reportedly with Nyweide before her death. An autopsy, including a toxicology report, is pending and may take six to eight weeks to complete. ​

“She was with other people when she died”

Nyweide’s mother, Shelly Gibson, disclosed that her daughter had struggled with drug use and died among unfamiliar individuals. She emphasized that Sophie had not experienced harm or abuse during her time in the film industry and asked for peace following her death. 

“My knowledge is she was using drugs and was a tiny young woman,” Gibson told TMZ. “She was with other people when she died. I didn’t know them. There is an investigation ongoing. The autopsy results are not in. They said it would take 6-8 weeks. So I can’t say definitively.”

“Sophie was a kind and trusting girl”

Sophie Nyweide (8 julio 2000-21 abril 2025) pic.twitter.com/fEGSeBTW8P

— MexMen (@MexaBlog) April 22, 2025

The family’s obituary alluded to personal trauma and her rejection of treatment efforts, describing her as self-medicating due to internal pain. Despite support from loved ones and professionals, Nyweide reportedly declined treatment options that might have helped her. 

“Sophie was a kind and trusting girl,” Nyweide’s obituary read, according to reports. “Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others. She wrote and drew voraciously, and much of this art depicts the depth she had, and it also represents the pain she suffered.” Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas.”

Born in Burlington, Vermont, in July 2000, Nyweide began acting at the age of six with her debut in the 2006 film Bella. She appeared in several notable films, including Margot at the Wedding, Mammoth, and Noah. Her television work included an episode of Law & Order and a 2015 appearance on What Would You Do?