OnlyFans star Christina Ashten Gourkani has died, aged 34.
The adult content creator, who had become known as a lookalike of Kim Kardashian, 42, and sold her X-rated pictures to subscribers on the platform under the name of Ashten, passed away in hospital earlier this week after suffering a cardiac arrest following what has been reported to have been a botched plastic surgery operation.
Her family, who have since set up a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise US$40 000 (about R750K) for funeral costs, said in a statement: "It is with deep sorrow and an immensely heavy broken heart that we have to share the most shattering, unfortunate and unexpected passing of our beautiful beloved daughter and sister Christina Ashten Gourkani.
"In the early morning hours at approximately 4.31am on 4/20/2023 our family received a tragic phone call from a family member who was frantically screaming and crying hysterically on the other end of the line ... Ashten is dying ... Ashten is dying ... a phone call that instantly shattered our world and will forever haunt our family for the rest of our lives.
"After arriving at the hospital shortly after the phone call our family continued living a nightmare as we were informed that her health and wellbeing had continued to decline in a downward spiral for the worse after suffering from a cardiac arrest."
The statement added the death is being "investigated as a homicide related to medical procedure" but the family is not willing to share any further details at present as they paid tribute to the "caring and loving free spirit" they have lost.
So far, their fundraising page has reached US$3 590.
The family also said in their statement: "Her sudden and tragic passing is currently being investigated as a homicide related to medical procedure that took a turn for the worse. For the privacy of Christina Ashten, our family, and the investigation no other details will be shared at this time. If you knew Ashten you knew that everyone mattered to her.
"She was such a caring and loving free spirit that always took the time to bring a smile to anyone's face she crossed paths with. She was the kind of person that would kneel down and talk to children at eye level, she searched for the lonely person in the corner and made them feel special as she has such a gift of connecting with people."