Sinead McNamara/InstagramAn Australian Instagram model has died while on holiday in Greece and questions are now being raised about her final days.
20-year-old Sinead McNamara had been working on a billionaire’s luxury yacht for the past four months before her sudden death on Friday (August 31).
Sinead was active on the social media platform and loved adventure, travel and camping. Her brother, Jake McNamara, confirmed her death on Saturday, (September 1).
Sinead had been working on the Mayan Queen IV, a $140 million, 92 metre yacht owned by Mexican mining magnate, Alberto Baillères, who’s worth an estimated £5.3 billion, News.com.au report.
Local media state Mr Bailleres left the yacht, which was anchored off the island of Kefalonia, on Tuesday, (August 28), leaving Ms McNamara alone with the crew. Her body was reportedly found on the back of the boat two days later.
Local authorities are now looking into what happened in the 48 hours after Mr Bailleres’ departure from the yacht.
InKefalonia report Sinead died while in transport to a private hospital in Athens. ‘Unfortunately, the 20-year-old Australian yacht crew member who was docked in Argostoli did not manage to do so’, the paper writes (translated).
Officers from the port authority, crew members and a doctor ‘tried for [a] long time to bring her back’ before rushing her to a hospital in Argostoli.
Doctors made the decision to fly her to a private hospital in Athens but Ms McNamara died during the helicopter flight, local media said.
Sinead’s brother Jake said:
I have unfortunately received the worst news of my life, (Sinead) has passed away.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokewoman said:
DFAT is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Greece.
The Mayan Queen was scheduled to set sail today (September 2) but has been ordered to remain docked in the port of Argostoli until detectives have interviewed all crew members and performed a forensic examination of the ship.
Only six days ago on Instagram, Sinead posted a photo with her sister Lauren, writing: ‘happy birthday to the most amazing big sister I could ever ask for, you have been there for me through thick and thin and never fail to make me smile’.
Originally from Port Macquarie, NSW, Sinead moved to Sydney five years ago. In her last Instagram post, she wrote about jet skiing around the beautiful blue waters of the Med.
Friends and fans have taken to Instagram to post their tributes to the young model.
One person commented:
Never knew you but you seemed like a good person. Rest In Peace Angel
Others have posted asking about the circumstances surrounding her death. Australian YouTuber Alex Hayes posted the news to his accounts.
Alex Hayes/InstagramHe wrote in an Instagram story:
Life is so precious gone was too soon. Such a beautiful human being. Will cherish all our memories. Rest in Peace you beautiful soul. [sic]
Our thoughts are with Ms McNamara’s family and friends at this difficult time.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Tim Horner is a sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated with a BA Journalism from University College Falmouth before most his colleagues were born. A previous editor of adult mags, he now enjoys bringing the tone down in the viral news sector.