Following the tragic news of "America's Next Top Model" contestant Mirjana Puhar's death, the long running show's host and executive producer, Tyra Banks, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news about Mirjana Puhar. She was a vivacious and promising young woman," the joint statement by Tyra Banks and co-executive producer Ken Mok said. "Our hearts and prayers go out to her loved ones."
The 19-year-old Cycle 21 contestant was one of the three people who were found dead in an apartment at Tryon Hills in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday.
According to NBC News, Puhar, 19, was found shot to death with two male companions identified as Jusmar Isiah Gonzaga-Garcia, 21, and Jonathan Cosme Alvarado, 23.
Reportedly, the alleged killer, Emmanuel Jesus Rangel, 23, was already arrested on Wednesday and that according to the authorities the killing was drug-related.
According to TMZ, a source close to the incident said that the friend who found the bodies and called the police, saw money scattered all over the house.
Mirjana Puhar was part of "America's Next Top Model Cycle 21" and was unfortunately eliminated in the show's 10th episode.
Meanwhile, Puhar's fellow contestants' words of sympathy poured fourth over social media sites.
"RIP Mirjana, we love you. Such an unbelievably tragic day. #ANTMfamily," the reality contest's finalist Adam Smith tweeted.
He later posted a photo in his Instagram account with a lengthier caption.
"Everyone please keep Mirjana and her family in your thoughts and prayers," he wrote. "We love you dearly, and you will live on in our memories. Our cast lost a family member today. I still cannot comprehend that you are no longer with us, I can vividly see you laughing and hear your voice as if it were yesterday. #RIPMirjana #ANTMfamily."
Romeo Barcelona, an early favorite among the contestants of "America's Top Model Cycle 21," who was eliminated after an altercation with Smith, also paid his respects to the killed model.
"Heaven gained THEE MOST beautiful angel of them all. As I cry writing this, I know she's in a better place. RIP SISTER/ QUEEN MIRJANA," he said.
