'Playboy' Model and "Queen of Snapchat" Katie May Passes Away at 34

In 2015, May was dubbed the "Queen of Snapchat" by Playboy.

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Complex Original

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Just 34 years old, Playboy model and Snapchat star Katie May has passed away after suffering a stroke. May had been hospitalized in critical condition since Monday when blockage in her carotid artery caused the massive stroke, TMZ reports. After being taken off life support on Thursday, May passed while surrounded by her family. The current "operating theory" is that the artery may have been torn during a recent photoshoot mishap, in which May fell on set and injured her neck.

May, once dubbed the "Queen of Snapchat" by Playboy, enjoyed a remarkable social media presence amassing two million Instagram followers and a devoted fan base. "I’m showing people you can be intelligent and a model," May told Huffington Post earlier this year, discussing her stake in the popular fantasy sports website JetBet. "You can do more than sell protein and tea on social media and you don’t have to be a movie star or musician to have influence." May was a "marketing partner" for the highly successful company and also made memorable appearances in Sports Illustrated and GQ, Uproxx reports.

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"Known as MsKatieMay on the Internet and the 'Queen of Snapchat,' she leaves behind millions of fans and followers, and a heartbroken family," the star's family said in a statement to People. "We respectfully ask for privacy in this difficult time." A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the family, including May's 7-year-old daughter, and has currently raised more than $13,000.

Rest in power, Katie May.

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