‘Gossip Girl’ actress hangs herself in hotel room

Lima, Nov 18 (IANS) "Gossip Girl" actress Lisa Lynn Masters, who was battling depression, was reportedly found dead inside her hotel room closet in Peru. She was 52.

According to Peru21 newspaper, she was found deceased inside of her Nuevo Mundo hotel room in Lima earlier this week, reports eonline.com.

A spokesperson for Masters -- known for featuring in TV shows like "Ugly Betty", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" -- released a statement: "As to her husband and family's wishes, we hope that the industry can mourn her death without details."

"In these darkening days, we hope those who have had the pleasure of knowing her will see how brightly she shined and will find that light within themselves and continue to share it with others-just as she would have," the statement added.

According to the local media report, she was found inside of her closet and appeared to have hanged herself with her skirt. Police officials also claimed to have found anti-depressants in her hotel room at the time of the investigation.

Authorities in the South American country's capital Lima said they found two letters which revealed her mental health issues at the Nuevo Mundo Hotel, reports mirror.co.uk.

Her husband William Brooks was in shock after her death, according to a friend who wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to pay for her body's repatriation to the US.

The fundraising page, which hit its 24,000 pounds goal in one day, will pay for funeral expenses and help her widower, who works as a healing arts practitioner in Brooklyn.

Ani Mason wrote on the page: "Our dear friend Lisa Masters passed away tragically and unexpectedly.

"Lisa's genuine warmth, generosity and tenacious strength will be deeply missed."

She added: "Lisa's beloved husband William is shocked and grieving her sudden loss. In the midst of this mourning, William faces daunting financial challenges, including the substantial funeral and transport expenses for Lisa in and between Peru and the United States."

Masters was from Brooklyn, New York.