Australia's Next Top Model star Lucy Markovic dies aged 27

Lucy Markovic, a former Australia's Next Top Model contestant and international model, has died. She was 27.

News of her death was announced by her partner via her Instagram Story on Friday.

'Dear friends and family, I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed,' the statement read.

'She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her.

'We ask you to please give us space in these hard times. May Lucy rest in peace.'

Lucy, who was runner up on season 9 of the reality TV series, had a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and had to undergo emergency surgery before she went into a coma earlier this week.

AVMs are abnormal tangles of blood vessels which can cause irregular connections between the arteries and veins - which often develop in the spinal cord and brain.

Lucy previously revealed her AVM was the size of a golf ball. 

Hours prior to her death, Lucy's partner revealed she was fighting for her life and begged fans to pray for the star.

'Lucy is currently battling for her life, we need all your prayers right now,' he wrote.

Her management, Elite Model Management NYC, also made a statement on social media.

'We are heartbroken to share that Lucy Markovic has passed away after a brave battle with a brain AVM,' they said.

'Lucy was a bright shining light, and had an incredible dry sense of humor. Her smile and laughter could light up a room, and draw you closer to her. She loved to dance, she really shined.

'Modeling was one of Lucy's dreams, and we are deeply honored to have been part of that journey with her. She brought elegance, strength, and beauty to her work. But more than that, she brought herself—her warmth, her laughter, her light.

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'To her family and friends, please know that you are in our prayers and in our hearts. We mourn with you, and we celebrate the incredible person Lucy was. We will never forget her.'

Following her stint on Australia's Next Top Model in 2015, Lucy has walked the runway for major labels including Versace, Givenchy and Australian brands like Dion Lee, Ksubi and Sass and Bide.

Donatella Versace lead the tributes to Lucy on Instagram, sharing an image of the model walking the runway for the designer.

'I am so sorry to hear the news about @lucymarkovicc,' the fashion icon wrote.

'Rest in peace beautiful girl.'

Lucy's friend and YouTuber Cartia Mallan also shared a heartbreaking tribute, sharing how 'amazingly beautiful and talented she was'.

'Heartbroken to say the least. My beautiful friend Lucy Markovic sadly passed away after putting up a strong fight,' she wrote on her Instagram Story.

'I can't even put into words how kind, radiant and caring she was as a human. Not to mention how insanely beautiful and talented she was.

'All my love to her family during this time. I can't even phantom [sic] this, she was so young - life is so insanely brutal sometimes.

'Deeply blessed to have known her. Rest in peace my angel girl.' 

Last month, Lucy shared a heartbreaking update regarding her AVM, revealing she would undergo surgery after suffering seizures and completing rounds of radiation.

'Lucky + unlucky - Radiation, seizures, heavy medication and 4 years later,' she wrote.

'I will be undergoing brain surgery on the 26th of this month for the AVM in the back of my brain (arteriovenous malformation) that is the size of a golf ball. (Now has changed to the 2nd of April).'

The Croatian-Australian model admitted she was 'excited, thankful, scared, supported' and 'hopeful'.

'Full flood of emotions in this time. Life's a journey and I'm ready for the next chapter,' she added.

Lucy was only 17 years old when she competed on Australia's Next Top Model, beating hundreds of other hopefuls to make it through to the grand final against fellow contestant Brittany Beattie.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph in 2017, Lucy admitted that her 'dream gig' was to walk the Victoria's Secret runway.

The then 19-year-old was paired with model Megan Puleri, who graced the catwalk at the lingerie giant's 2015 show, at the Fashion Palette 2018 Showcase in Sydney.

'Victoria's Secret would be the ultimate for me. It is the one that everyone fantasises about and I like that it is about being healthy and fit,' Lucy told the publication. 

Having relocated from the Gold Coast to Sydney after her Australia's Next Top Model turn, the slender brunette added that she was determined to make a name for herself.

'I don't think you need to win (the show), you just need determination. Top Model taught me to be more confident, which is something I think you need to be successful in the modelling industry.

'It didn't come easy; it was a lot of hard work to not worry about what anyone else is doing,' Lucy added.  

The Gold Coast beauty previously told Daily Mail Australia she was inspired by the show's then-host Jennifer Hawkins, and considered entering pageants to further her modelling career.