An anorexic woman whose painfully thin images led to her having 120,000 followers on Instagram has died, aged just 24. Social media influencer Josi Maria, from Kiel in northern Germany, died after announcing that she was going on a short holiday to Gran Canaria. She reportedly died after her heart stopped beating following years of battling with anorexia. Maria shared images of her battle with the eating disorder during those difficult years, and tried to warn people of the dangers.
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In June, Maria posted a photo of her in the gym, with a comment which read: “No, I don't take this picture because I'm proud of my appearance. And no, I am also not posting it because I want to motivate others to look like me. In fact yes, the reason I am posting this picture is because I am on a journey and I want you to join me.
"I want to share my thoughts, and show that I am actively fighting anorexia. I also want to say, that we should not hide ourselves away no matter what psychological illnesses we have. And I want to say to everybody who doubts themselves that you are all wonderful, and be yourself and don't try and change. Follow your dreams, fight hard, and you will see the rewards."
After her death, Maria’s mother said on social media: “You were an angel on earth.
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“For your fight against this serious disease, we loved you, admired you until the very end, and yet we had to watch helplessly as you lost this battle. You still had so many plans. You will always be in our midst, deep in our hearts, just unforgettable."
She added: "I miss you so much, your mummy."
