Model Jeff Thomas ‘died after falling off tower while taking a SELFIE,’ his agent claims
Tragic male model Jeff Thomas’s agent has suggested he may have dropped dead while taking a selfie, after the drying rack’s brother said his sibling had died due to addiction and mental health issues.
Luli Batista of The Sovereign Talent Group told DailyMail.com she was so shocked by the sudden death of 35-year-old Daniel in his Miami apartment tower on March 8 that she believes it may have been a tragic accident.
“I just can’t believe it’s true that he did this on purpose. He may have fallen while taking a selfie,” she said.
Batista said the last time they spoke was on Tuesday — less than 24 hours before his shock death — when the pair had exchanged text messages and joked about an upcoming audition.
They scheduled a call on Friday to catch up. “He couldn’t wait to tell me about his move to Miami. He seemed excited and proud of himself. He was happy, motivated and excited for his next step, just loving life.”
She added, “I’m so stunned. He was such a beautiful and sweet boy.’
Bare-chested Thomas standing in front of his bathroom mirror in his underwear, taking a selfie weeks before his tragic passing
Another shot of Thomas making a funny face while taking a selfie in front of a mirror wrapped in a towel. The caption reads: ‘Crushed it’
Batista’s claim contradicts a Facebook post shared by Thomas’ brother Skylar Ray Thomas, which suggested the death was a suicide after battling addiction and mental health issues.
Thomas’ cousin Meghan Rae disputed the suicide claim to DailyMail.com earlier this week, though police currently believe Thomas committed suicide.
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’ve followed through the years, Jeff has traveled the world and lived life to the fullest. What you may not know is that Jeff struggled with addiction and mental health issues, which ultimately led to his tragic passing.”
The luxury high-rise building that Thomas reportedly fell out of on March 8 in the Brickell Avenue neighborhood of Miami. The waterfront condo has 57 floors and is located on the bay with great views of the Miami River and is close to downtown Miami
Further details about the drugs Jeff had taken and the mental health issues he struggled with were kept private.
The post further described Jeff’s struggle as “difficult,” but paid tribute to his “sense of humor, love of music, art and family.”
Skylar urged anyone struggling with similar issues to seek help.
Thomas took this selfie a few days before his untimely death. In the caption he wrote, “There is a man who is looking for everything you give to a man who is not man enough to appreciate it”
Thomas, sitting in a hot tub with his head tilted back and arms spread, an eagle posted this selfie at 11:43 a.m. on March 8, 8 hours before his shock death. The caption reads, “A Cold Plunge A Day Keeps The Doctor Away,” #coldplunge #wellness #mentalhealth
Thomas died on March 8, after being found dead at the bottom of his apartment complex. Police are investigating his death as a possible suicide, but Jeff’s cousin Meghan Rae urged DailyMail.com that he did not commit suicide.
She said, “This was not suicide. To report otherwise is a complete disregard for his character and who he was,” she said.
“The information being published is false and defamatory. No further comments will be made by our family. Please respect our privacy and his memory at this difficult time.”
Thomas dressed in a matching blue jogging suit takes a selfie of himself sitting in what looks like some sort of spa or doctor’s office
Thomas pictured with his brother Skylar Ray (center)
A captivating message Skylar wrote after the tragic passing of his brother
Thomas was a successful model with 120,000 followers on Instagram, where he regularly posted photos of his impressive physique in a range of enviable locations.
He lived in a 57-story tower on Brickell Avenue in Miami, near Miami’s trendy downtown area.
Batista said her late client was a humble man who didn’t take himself too seriously and had a great sense of humor.
During their text exchange a day before he died, she said they were laughing.
“We talked about a funny audition I had for him that involved kind of a little fight. We laughed about it and he told me how he is a comedian at heart, she said.
She said that on Friday, when they were scheduled to speak on the phone, he planned to tell her about the next chapter in his life.
“He’d started a new company—although I didn’t know what it was yet.”
She added, “I’m just stunned. I don’t even know how to react.’
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