FRIENDS of Kagney Linn Karter have spoken out following the adult entertainer's tragic death as tributes pour in on her last Instagram post.
Karter, 36, was found dead in her home in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, an urban county in Cleveland, on February 15.
TMZ reported that a representative from the local police department attributed the star's death to suicide.
Following Karter's death, friends of hers started a GoFundMe page to help her parents pay for memorial services, adding a heartwrenching tribute to the page's description.
"Kagney was a woman who wore many hats; she was a performer, a singer, a dancer, a daughter and a friend," began the description.
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"And, although no amount of money can ease the grief, if it can even assuage a small amount of stress on Kagney's mother and immediate family, that is a victory," they concluded the post.
Karter's friends also described her apparent battle with mental illness.
"Unfortunately, despite all of her many impressive accomplishments and talents, Kagney struggled with mental health issues as the years passed by. 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," read the post.
"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," they wrote.
Donations on the page have reached $14,800 with people leaving touching sentiments alongside funding.
"You brought a lot of people joy with your personality. I hate that you’re gone, but glad that everything that troubled you will no longer do so," wrote one individual.
"Peace and strength for those left behind. Take wing Angel, the earth is a little less bright today," added another.
As news of Karter's death reached her fans, tributes on her last Instagram post began flooding her page.
"Hi from Florida," Karter captioned a post on February 10.
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In the accompanying picture, she stood on a beach with blue skies in a pink bikini.
"Bye K. I hope you're in a much happier place," wrote one commenter.
"Such heartbreaking news to hear that you are gone, RIP bunny queen Kagney," another comment read.
"Can’t believe this yet, I’m in shock. Rest In Peace Kagney, nice smile, better person," mourned another.
Some people have begun speculating on why life stressors might have added to her mental health struggles.
"It's sad all the bullying on her posts may have contributed to this," suggested one person.
"Can’t help but feel like Kagney would still be here had she chosen a different career," provided another.
"People don’t talk about this enough at all… so many young girls being influenced by the money but no one is talking about the severe impacts it has on their mental health. She would still be here I believe if she had chosen a different path," agreed another fan.
Before entering the adult entertainment industry, Karter was an exotic dancer in Missouri eventually 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.
Karter went on to become a singer, dancer, and small business owner who ran a fitness studio, Alchemy Pole Fitness, in Akron, Ohio.
"Business ownership is no easy task, but Kagney never shied away from the challenge," wrote her friends in their GoFundMe tribute.
"Her students and staff remember her incredibly fondly, both as an intelligent and intuitive instructor and as an owner who did all she could to build a little community of her own, something of which she could be proud, somewhere she could feel safe and wanted. The best version of herself."
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
