Tributes for Cathriona White, 'a shining light' in family's lives

Her death is being investigated as a possible suicide, with an examination scheduled for today.

Speaking to Beat 102-103, Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath paid tribute to the White family, who he knows.

“I actually knew Cathriona for a brief period, I know the family of course in Cappawhite,” Mr McGrath said.

“…It is a tragedy for her parents, her family, her siblings, the community of Cappawhite and indeed her friends where she has been residing.”

Jim Carrey has described the loss as like being “hit with a lightning bolt”.

The 30-year-old had moved to LA in 2009 and took roles as an extra on a television show before working behind the scenes.

Carrey, 53, and Ms White had dated for a while in 2012 and were pictured hand in hand in New York earlier this year.

The last two photos posted on Carrey’s Twitter account were credited to Ms White.

She last posted on the “little irish girl” social networking page on Thursday, saying: “Signing off Twitter, I hope I have been a light to my nearest and dearest.”

In Carrey’s statement, he said: “My heart goes out to her family and friends and to everyone who loved and cared about her.

“We have all been hit with a lightning bolt.”

A statement last night on behalf of Ms White’s family said: “The family of Cathriona White sincerely regret the untimely passing of their beloved daughter and sister.

“Cathriona was a shining light in our lives who was loved deeply by her entire family.

“We will miss her terribly and at this difficult time we ask to be left in private to mourn our loss.”

Ms White trained as a beauty therapist in Ireland before moving to the US in the hope of building a career in the Hollywood movie business.

It is understood the couple met on set and Carrey spoke briefly about their romance in 2013 when he said she was “lovely”.

Ms White had an older sister Lisa, who is believed to have travelled to the US last month on a visit, and an older brother James, who was a Lance Corporal in the Parachute regiment and honoured by the Queen of England for his bravery in Afghanistan.

He joined the British Army in 2005 and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in three serious incidents including dodging heavy machine gun and RPG fire to clear out enemy positions and relieve colleagues and on another occasion for evacuating injured soldiers.

The family were said to be well known and regarded in Tipperary, and they were said to be avid GAA fans.

Carrey was pictured with Ms White earlier in the year while he was sporting the blue and gold jersey colours of Tipperary. prompting rumours the romance had been rekindled.

Mary Hanna Hourigan, a local councillor who knew Ms White as a child, has remained in contact with her mother Bridget, who had planned to return to Tipperary after living in England for a number of years.

“She was a make-up artist and extremely talented,” the councillor said.

“She was at the top of her field.

“It’s said she was discovered when she hit LA.

“We were very proud that she was doing so well.

“Her granny Lily was very proud.

“Every time you’d meet her she would always speak very highly of her.”

Ms Hourigan said the local community was left reeling by the news.

“Nobody saw this coming,” she said.

“The community is in mourning and in great shock since the news hit.

“The community will be rallying around the family now,” she added.

Ms White recently shared photos of her nieces and nephews on social media before last weekend signing off from social media.

According to the IMDb website, Ms White had credits to her name for an extra role in The Online Gamer comedy TV series in the US in 2010.

She followed that with a string of credits for behind the scenes work including special effects make-up work in the same show in 2012 and for short films Firefly and Solitude in 2012 and 2013.