Model and social media influencer Jeff Thomas paid a final visit to his beloved grandmother in Florida days before his death Suspected suicide after sources claim he fell from an apartment balcony.
The 35-year-old’s body was discovered outside a Miami apartment complex on March 8 and an official cause of death has yet to be determined pending an autopsy.
However, sources believe Thomas, a popular Instagram character with more than 120,000 followers who has mingled with celebrities such as Megan Fox, committed suicide after throwing himself from the balcony of an apartment in the Florida city, reports TMZ .
Three days before his unexpected death, he wrote about a visit to his grandmother’s home in Fort Lauderdale, admitting the trip came at a busy time after a recent move from California to Florida.
In the report, he is pictured with his arms around his smiling grandmother, who is sitting in a chair with his French bulldog on her lap – a dog he loves – and who calls himself a “proud dog dad”. The model was also an aspiring firefighter and took EMT courses.
Tragic: Model and social media influencer Jeff Thomas dies in suspected suicide after falling from apartment balcony, sources say
A photo of Thomas with the famous Megan Fox
Touching: On March 6, just days before his death, Thomas visited his grandmother at her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (photo)
Surprise for my very special grandma after her 2 week cruise from California to Florida with her friend Beverly. Your dear friend decided to take my beloved grandmother on the cruise because she had originally planned to go with her recently deceased husband who passed away during the pandemic,” he wrote.
“It was a process to do all of this after I finished my hectic work day/week, started my EMT classes, got a flat tire, moved into my new house and moved from Los Angeles to Miami.
“Somehow I make sure it works for those I love, who deserve it and appreciate those efforts as they do the same for me.”
He also shared a photo of his latest tattoo – the single word “resilience” was inked on his right forearm on March 6, two days before his death.
The news of his sudden death sent shockwaves through the modeling and entertainment industry and into his hometown of Dallas, Texas, leaving many in mourning.
One person wrote: “Hey Jeff, I love you until the end of time. My sous from someone else’s motha. Rest in peace my dear friend. I’m lost for words.”
Another said: “My dear Jeff, we were just making plans, you were just joking, we were just dreaming of Europe together. It’s so hard to imagine that there won’t be a next time. There is such an emptiness there. I know deep down you know this. You know that we loved you so much and always wanted what was best for you just like you wanted it for everyone else. I will miss you, your smile, your lyrics, your dancing so, so, so much.’
The Miami-based model is signed by London-based agency AMCK Models and has previously appeared in a number of advertisements and catwalk shows.
His muscular physique made him the perfect candidate for underwear modeling, while his Instagram account featured numerous images and videos of the fitness enthusiast flaunting his physique on the beach.
In his latest social media video, posted just weeks before his death on February 28, Thomas can be seen working out at a local gym, with the Miami coastline partially visible through a nearby window.
He captioned the photos, writing: “Call the tone for the warm-up.”
His latest post, shared from a local spa, showed Thomas lying in a plunge pool, with the caption: “One cold dip a day keeps the doctor away.”
The model added a series of hashtags, referring to “self-care” and “mental health.”
Successful: The Miami-based actor and model is signed to London-based agency AMCK Models and has previously appeared in a number of commercials and catwalk shows.
Fit and healthy: Thomas’ Instagram account features numerous photos and videos of the fitness enthusiast showing off his body on the beach
Surprised: Followers commented on the post after his unexpected death
Body art: Thomas also shared a photo of his latest tattoo – the single word ‘Resilience’ on his right forearm
Friends, colleagues and followers have since paid tribute to the model via social media, with many praising him for his “positive energy”.
Kris Haigh, vice president of men’s design, wrote: “I met you many years ago in New York. Every time I saw you, you always gave me a happy energy.
Another friend added: “My dear Jeff. We were just making plans, you were just kidding, we were just dreaming of Europe together. It’s so hard to think there won’t be a next time not.
“There is such an emptiness. I know deep down you know this. You know that we loved you so much and always wanted what was best for you just like you wanted it for everyone else.
“I will miss you, your smile, your lyrics, your dancing so much.”
Tributes: Friends, colleagues and followers – including his former agent – have since paid tribute to the model on social media, with many praising him for his “positive energy”.
Last Post: Thomas shared his last post, a mental health reference, just before his death
A third wrote: “My beautiful best friend for life! Words cannot describe how special and magical you were. Her zest for life touched so many people from coast to coast across the world. You will always be in my heart my best friend. I love you!’
Elsewhere, his former agent Gerald Frankowski added: “It was a pleasure to be your agent. You did everything you needed to do to be successful in business.
“It was frustrating at times, but I knew your goals and your passion to get there. Much more important was the friendship we developed afterwards. Your heart was always in the right place. REST IN PEACE.’
If you are affected by anything in this article, please call The Samaritans on 116 123 for confidential assistance.
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
