A popular American porn star has reportedly died by suicide at the age of just 36.
Kagney Linn Karter was found dead in her Cleveland home, in the US state of Ohio, on Thursday, The U.S. Sun reports.
Multiple publications have contacted local police to verify the reports, first made by TMZ.
Meanwhile a GoFundMe page has been set up by the adult star’s friends to help raise funds for her funeral on behalf of Karter’s mother, Tina.
The virtual fundraiser has already collected almost $US15,000 – about $21,500 in Australian dollars – to help with funeral costs since it was created on Sunday.
Rachel and Megan, the friends who launched the fundraiser, described the adult star as a woman who “wore many hats”, adding she struggled with mental health issues.
“Even in her darkest days, however, she still showed up to the studio, always ready to learn, contribute, better herself in whatever small way she could manage,” the post read.
“As alone as she undoubtedly felt within the confines of her own head, she continued to make an effort to show up for her friends and the community who cared about her.
“She fought her own battles with the same tenacity and drive she showed in every other area of her life, with as much strength as she could.”
The post also discussed her kind and generous nature, stating she loved pole fitness, and ran a pole dancing studio called Alchemy Pole Fitness.
“Because more than her beauty, her lovely dancing, her singing, her dazzling performances, her business savvy and instructor certifications and loyal fanbase … Kagney was kind,” the studio owners wrote.
“Kagney was generous. As cold as the world could be, Kagney brought with her a light.
“On her good days, when she was most herself, she could warm up a room with her radiant smile, get others laughing in no time at all.”
Tributes have begun pouring in for the young star, with many stating she was “gone too soon”.
“Kagney was loved and admired by legions of fans and supporters,” one wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Peace and strength for those left behind,” another penned.
In Karter’s last Instagram post on February 10 she posted a bikini clad picture on the beach with the caption: “Hi from Florida.”
The photo shows her standing on an empty beach in a pink two-piece.
Prior to entering the adult industry, Karter was an exotic dancer in Missouri before moving to California to pursue an acting and singing career.
She entered the porn industry in September 2008, recording her first scene for the adult film studio, Naughty America.
In 2009, Karter appeared on the cover of the exotic magazine Hustler and Adult Video News.
She took part in the BBC documentary Twilight of the Porn Stars – a film based on the adult industry and the actors and actresses that struggle to compete with free internet choices.
She hit headlines in 2015 after claiming musician Chris Brown paid her $2500 to be his escort. Her claims also include a picture of Brown’s genitalia, which eventually got her Twitter account suspended, according to TMZ.