Erin Spanevello
Encyclopedia
Erin Jean Maria Spanevello (April 27, 1987 – May 28, 2008) was a Canadian
fashion model active in the late 2000s before dying from a drug overdose
at the age of 21.
Born of Austrian and Italian descent in British Columbia
, she began modeling part-time and signed with four modeling agencies
including Paris
' NEXT Model Management
and New York
's IMG Models
. She modeled in advertisements for AlekWek 1933
, West Edmonton Mall
, Cuche and FloSport, and walked
for several brands including Sports Club LA
.
On May 28, 2008, Spanevello fell into an irreversible coma after taking ecstasy and GHB
, dying from cardiac and respiratory failure
induced by a lethal dose of the synthetic drugs. She was 21 years old.
After her death, her story was featured as the main subject in an anti-drug campaign by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
fashion model active in the late 2000s before dying from a drug overdose
Drug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
at the age of 21.
Born of Austrian and Italian descent in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, she began modeling part-time and signed with four modeling agencies
Modeling agency
A modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and or the head agency....
including Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
' NEXT Model Management
NEXT Model Management
NEXT Model Management is a Global modeling agency with offices in New York City, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan and Paris. Founded in 1989 by Faith Kates, the agency is one of the top 3 model agencies in the world...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's IMG Models
IMG Models
IMG Models is one of the major international modeling agencies, currently representing only female models. Its mother office is in New York City, with branches in Paris, London, Milan and Hong Kong. It is a division of New York, NY-based IMG...
. She modeled in advertisements for AlekWek 1933
Alek Wek
Alek Wek is a Sudanese British model who first appeared on the catwalks at the age of 18 in 1995, sparking a career lasting to date. She is from the Dinka ethnic group in South Sudan, but in 1991 she and some family members fled to Britain to escape the civil war in Sudan...
, West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall , located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959. It was the world's largest mall until 2004.West Edmonton Mall covers a gross...
, Cuche and FloSport, and walked
Runway (fashion)
Runway or catwalk describes a narrow, usually flat platform that runs into an auditorium, used by models to demonstrate clothing and accessories during a fashion show In fashion jargon, "what's on the catwalk" or similar phrasing can refer to whatever is new and popular in fashion.- Exclusive...
for several brands including Sports Club LA
Sports Club/LA
The Sports Club/LA is a collection of large luxury health clubs located in Los Angeles and in several large city real estate projects in the United States.-History:...
.
On May 28, 2008, Spanevello fell into an irreversible coma after taking ecstasy and GHB
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid
γ-Hydroxybutyric acid , also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and sodium oxybate when used for medicinal purposes, is a naturally occurring substance found in the central nervous system, wine, beef, small citrus fruits, and almost all animals in small amounts. It is also categorized as an illegal...
, dying from cardiac and respiratory failure
Respiratory failure
The term respiratory failure, in medicine, is used to describe inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that arterial oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. A drop in blood oxygenation is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial...
induced by a lethal dose of the synthetic drugs. She was 21 years old.
After her death, her story was featured as the main subject in an anti-drug campaign by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
.