The Australian TV community has been left reeling after the devastating news that former Home and Away actress Kirsty Marillier has died, aged just 34. In a statement released late last night, her family confirmed that Kirsty passed away following a prolonged and private struggle with severe depression — a battle those closest to her say she fought with courage for many years.

Kirsty, who appeared on Home and Away during the early 2010s in a short but memorable run, was widely praised at the time for her raw screen presence and emotional depth. While her stint on the soap was brief, fans remember her as a performer with enormous promise — one many believed was destined for much bigger things.

Behind the scenes, however, friends now say Kirsty’s life was far more complicated than her public image suggested.

“She was incredibly sensitive, deeply thoughtful, and she felt everything,” one former colleague told reporters. “People assume that once you’ve been on a hit show, everything is easy. For Kirsty, it wasn’t.”

According to those close to her, Kirsty had stepped away from the spotlight in recent years to focus on her mental health. While she continued to work creatively in smaller projects, she largely avoided red carpets and publicity, choosing a quieter life away from the relentless scrutiny of the industry.

Her family’s statement described her death as “an unbearable loss” and asked for privacy as they grieve. “Kirsty was a beloved daughter, sister and friend. She brought light into the lives of so many, even when she herself was struggling to see it,” the statement read.

Tributes have poured in from across the Australian television world. Several Home and Away alumni shared messages honouring her talent and kindness, with one former castmate writing, “The world saw your smile. We knew your heart. You mattered more than you ever realised.”

Mental health advocates have also used the tragic news to highlight the pressures faced by young actors, particularly those who experience sudden fame followed by professional uncertainty. Industry insiders say Kirsty’s story is a sobering reminder that success on screen does not protect against depression — and that struggles are often hidden behind carefully curated public personas.

Fans, meanwhile, have taken to social media to share clips of Kirsty’s scenes, describing her performances as “haunting,” “honest,” and “far ahead of their time.”

While the circumstances surrounding her death remain private, her family has urged the public to remember Kirsty not for how she died, but for how she lived — as a creative spirit who loved fiercely and felt deeply.