Sudden death of Kiwi actress stuns family

New Zealand actress Cherie Bradshaw appeared in episodes of several television programmes as well as films and advertisements. Photo / Supplied

Family and friends of an aspiring Kiwi actress who died suddenly in Melbourne were shocked at the news, just days after she posted a worrying message on her Facebook page.

Aucklander Cherie Bradshaw, 27, died on Saturday night and her family were contacted by police yesterday. Her death was not suspicious.

Last Tuesday the former Miss North Shore updated her status on Facebook to: "wishing I was heard".

Her family were devastated and not ready to speak publicly about her death when contacted yesterday.

But tributes were being posted online for Miss Bradshaw, who appeared in a number of New Zealand television shows including episodes of Shortland Street, Go Girls and The Pretenders. She also had roles in many locally made short and feature films.

"I am numb. I turn on Facebook today to see my friend Cherie Bradshaw has passed away.

"I was going to go to Melbourne to see her ... but I cancelled cause I didn't have the money. Damnit, why didn't I just get a loan?" wrote one friend.

"Oh Cherie, why did you feel you had to leave us? I am so so sad. RIP lovely lady ... this is just terrible."

Ms Bradshaw, who also worked as a model, trained at South Seas Film School in Auckland, graduating with a diploma in on-screen acting.

In 2011, a feature film in which she played the supporting lead was recognised and premiered at the Cannes film festival. In 2010 she was nominated for best actress in the 48 Hour Film Competition for her lead role in The Hitchhiker's Wife.

"Cherie is a very committed and focused actress fitting into very challenging character roles, and also focusing her talent into on-going television commercials including The Baby Factory NZ and Steinlager," her bio on her former management company said.

She wrote on her online CV that she had spent part of 2011 working as a production assistant on the New Zealand version of reality show The Apprentice.

"I have always worked in front and behind the camera and am very focused in my work, I am always looking for new challenges and I am an excellent assistant," she said.

Ms Bradshaw attended Long Bay College on Auckland's North Shore. It is understood arrangements for her funeral are still being finalised.