Frankie Abernathy, cast member on The Real World: San Diego in 2004, passed away Saturday night at her mother’s home in Shorewood, Wisconsin. Although the official cause of death was not yet disclosed, her death was believed to be the result of her suffering from cystic fibrosis.

The 25-year old former reality TV participant was diagnosed with the hereditary disease that affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and early death, when she was just three years old. Previously, she even discussed it openly during her time on The Real World’s 14th season, in which she and 6 other participants lived in a converted restaurant and served as tour guides for a company the organized cruises around San Diego Bay.

According to Abernathy's mother, Abbie Hunter, her daughter moved to Wisconsin last fall and over the winter since her health began to worsen.

"It was very sudden," Hunter told MTV News. "It wasn't something that was expected. She was doing fine, and we really don't know very much yet. It still was kind of a shock, and it just wasn't how we figured things would go. It seems like her little body just gave out."

Looking back on her stint on The Real World, she appeared as physically healthy yet she was enduring a lot of emotional problems. At one point, she even purposely cut herself with a kitchen knife, which led to her early exit from the show.

"Her experience on The Real World taught her about what she needed to do, and it helped other people as well," Hunter told MTV News. "I know several people weren't aware of the cutting epidemic at the time and I know several people wrote Frankie and thanked her. She was a different person for The Real World realm, and I think she touched a lot of people and made an impact on a lot of lives."

-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Source: RealityTV World, E! Online

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