NEW YORK — Model Ruslana Korshunova committed suicide on Saturday afternoon, leaping to her death from the ninth floor of her Manhattan apartment building, according to The Associated Press.
The medical examiner’s office confirmed Korshunova’s death on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Korshunova, who was born in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, had graced many top fashion magazines during her career, including Elle (France), Vogue (Poland), and Vogue (Russia).
Korshunova also appeared in such print campaigns as Blugirl by Blumarine, Clarins, Ghost, Girbaud, Kenzo Accessories, Marithé & François, Max Studio, Moschino, Old England, Pantene Always Smooth, Paul Smith and Vera Wang lingerie.
In addition, Korshunova had walked the runways for such designers as Marc Jacobs, Nina Ricci and DKNY.
She was discovered in 2003 when All Asia magazine printed a story on Almaty’s local German language club, which Korshunova was then attending. Her photograph, which was featured in the article, caught the attention of Debbie Jones of Models 1, who tracked down and signed the then 15-year-old beauty.
Korshunova was represented by IMG (New York, Paris, London, and Milan), Beatrice (Milan), Traffic Models (Barcelona), Marilyn Models and iCasting Moscow.
