The Australian model split from her stockbroker husband Danny Goldberg in April after 16 years together. At the time, in a deleted Instagram post, she wrote: "I don't know if a broken heart mends or learns to live in pieces".
She had bought the Potts Point apartment in November last year following the separation. When she bought the Victoria Rd property, she talked about plans to decorate in her signature style.
At the time she told the Sun-Herald she was focusing on her work and her pet cat Frankie and "moving forward with her life".
In December, she wrote on Instagram of the "challenging year" and talked of her biggest challenge of "not having my own home".
The high-profile model had fought a public battle with depression for years and was an ambassador for RUOK? Day in 2017.
At the time, she said in an interview with The Daily Edition: "It was the โฆ negative reaction people had to me being depressed and falling under the dark cloud."
She went on: "In many ways my life is wonderful, for which I'm extremely grateful and there's no doubting that, but when you're suffering these kinds of things for people to say how dare you โ you're a model, you're a millionaire, you're round the world.
"That's got nothing to do with this."
Ms Braakensiek was a fixture of the Bondi community and was a strong proponent of healthy living - so much so that she was still very much in demand as a swimsuit model after nearly 30 years in the business.
A close friend of Ms Braakensiek, Adriana Dib, who spoke to her in the days before her death said she had seemed "upbeat".
"I spoke to Annalise on Wednesday night and I thought she sounded okay," Ms Dib told news.com.au.
"I wasn't worried at all. We discussed the new year and all the wonderful things we would get to conquer and achieve.
"To find out today that she's gone is so devastating, I feel out of body.
"She brought so much magical love to everyone she knew.
"My life was better for having had her in it. We were kindred. I felt very lucky. The world has lost a genuine beacon of beautiful light."
Friends began to worry, however, when Ms Braakensiek - who Ms Dib said was never one not to return a text, message or phone call - did not respond to messages and calls from Thursday onwards.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
โข LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 or 09 5222 999 within Auckland (available 24/7)
โข SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
โข YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 ,free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nzor online chat.
โข NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
โข KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
โข WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
โข DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
โข SAMARITANS โ 0800 726 666.
