On Saturday, friends shared the heartbreaking news that Staff Sgt. Michelle Young, a member of the US Army known for her popular fitness and fashion account on Instagram, had died by suicide. Young leaves behind her 12-year-old daughter, described by friends as “her whole world” in a post on GoFundMe.
In a heartfelt message on the fundraising page, friend Sarah Maine expressed, “Michelle was a beautiful soul, an amazing friend, a single mother, a soldier, and is proof you never know what someone is going through or what demons they may be fighting.” She added, “We will never fill the gaps in our hearts and will always be left with questions.”
Having served in the Army for 16 years and enlisting at around 18 years old, Young completed two tours in Afghanistan. With a following of over 100,000 on her Instagram account, where she showcased apparel from a female veterans-focused athletic attire company, Young used her influence to advocate for improved mental health treatment for veterans and address the issue of homelessness among former soldiers.
