Real World Stars You May Not Know Died

Frankie Abernathy was best known for her punk rock aesthetic when she appeared on "The Real World: San Diego" in 2004. Although she sported her piercings on the show, she ironically had a fear of "large metal objects," per Distractify. The aspiring artist tragically died on June 9, 2007 at the age of 25 years old, per MTV. According to Abernathy's mother, Abbie Hunter, the "Real World" star was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis — a hereditary disease that causes mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract — at the age of 3. At the time, Hunter stated that she didn't really know why her daughter died. 

"It was very sudden," Hunter said. "It wasn't something that was expected. She was doing fine, and we really don't know very much yet. It still was kind of a shock, and it just wasn't how we figured things would go. It seems like her little body just gave out." Prior to her death, Abernathy struggled with her health as it began to worsen. "Some days she felt good, and some days she felt bad," Hunter added. "She had been sick more this last year than she'd ever been in the past. I am very grateful that it was very quick for her. It certainly made it hard for the survivors. She's just our little girl."

Abernathy changed the lives of many who struggle with cystic fibrosis by becoming a face for the disease. As she notably said on "Real World" in 2004 (via MTV), "Tomorrow is a privilege, so live today like tomorrow isn't happening."

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