High-fashion model Katerina Netolicka was found dead in her Czech Republic apartment on Thursday, Nov. 13, Central European News reports (via Hollywood Life). She was 26. According to the outlet, Netolicka was found by her brother slumped over her bathtub. Her two pet dogs, also dead, were found nearby.
CEN reports that Netolicka's brother became worried after the model failed to answer his phone calls so he went over to the apartment she shared with her 29-year-old boyfriend, Jakub Petruzalek. When no one answered the door, the brother broke in and discovered the model's body along with her deceased dogs.
According to CEN, at the time of Netolicka's death, her boyfriend was overseas in Russia playing hockey. Local police launched an investigation into the death and requested for an autopsy to be performed on the body.
"The cause of death is at this moment unknown and we have requested an autopsy," a police spokesperson told the New York Post.
Just 11 days ago Netolicka celebrated her birthday with friends. A Fellow model and close pal to Netolicka told the New York Post that the brunette beauty had suffered from depression and bipolar disorder.
"One minute she was very happy, almost ecstatic," the model said. "Then sometimes she was depressed and used to self-harm."
Another friend, Adam Smrcka, admitted to CEN that Netolicka did battle depression in the past but claims that she was doing really well recently.
"I don't really know what happened," he said. "I know she had stopped self-harming and was very happy with her boyfriend. I really don't know what could have happened."
Netolicka often appeared in ads for Prada and L'Oreal and graced the covers of several magazines including Elle and Harper's Bazaar. In her free time, she was passionate about kickboxing and even won the Czech Championships in October.
Elle Barcelona confirmed the death on its website, writing, "We are truly devastated after learning of Kate's sudden death. We just want to verify that Kate was a very happy girl despite what the media is posting about her and the reasons for her passing away are nothing close to what is being put out there. Our most sincere condolences go to her loved ones. We will never forget you Kate Netolicka."
