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Heartbreaking new details emerge of Jaimi Kenny’s tragic battle

Seen here is Jaimi Kenny posing for a photo with her mother Lisa Curry.
Lisa Curry, right, penned an emotional tribute to her late daughter Jaimi Kenny after her tragic death at 33. Pic: Instagram/lisacurry

Sad new details have come to light of Jaimi Kenny's long-term battle with alcoholism and anxiety, as well as the grief of losing the love of her life.

Australian sporting greats Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny announced the devastating news of their daughter Jaimi's death earlier this week.

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In a statement published by Queensland newspaper The Courier Mail, the former couple announced their eldest daughter had died after battling an unnamed long-term illness.

She was only 33 years old.

It's understood an eating disorder, as well as battles with anxiety and alcoholism contributed to Kenny's death.

The Daily Telegraph reports that she was also psychologically “heartbroken and traumatised” by the death of her former boyfriend, Lachy Crossley, in 2017.

Kenny and Crossley had just moved in together when he died suddenly, with the circumstances of the death not revealed.

Crossley's death “plunged Jaimi into depression” and she increasingly used alcohol as a mechanism to cope with her devastating loss.

“They had plans to be together forever… people described them as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet,” Crossley’s mother, Gail, told the Daily Telegraph.

Kenny had battled alcohol problems earlier in her life and was arrested for drink-driving in 2014 with a blood alcohol reading of 0.23.

It's understood she consumed 16 drinks over the course of more than 12 hours from 8.30am before getting behind the wheel of her vehicle, where she was caught swerving along the road.

“Unfortunately (she) started consuming alcohol to self medicate and that’s obviously quickly become a problem,” her lawyer told the court at the time, adding that she was suffering from “psychological issues”.

The court heard that the daughter of two Australian sporting legends had been battling anxiety since the age of 14 and the pressure to live up to her famous parents' sporting accomplishments weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Lisa Curry is seen here with daughter Jaimi at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Lisa Curry and daughter Jaimi at the Commonwealth Games in 1990. (AAP Image, file)

Her mother had spoken on numerous occasions about the pitfalls of growing up in the glaring light of the public eye.

Lisa Curry took to social media earlier this week to thank those who had sent messages of support, calling on fellow parents to cherish their children.

Death leaves family ‘completely broken’

“Right now, go and give your children the biggest hug and tell them how much you love them, and do that everyday because you’ll never know if it’s the last day,” she wrote.

On Monday Curry wrote: “Our hearts are completely broken.”

“Our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday morning with her loving family by her side.

“So loved. So beautiful. So kind to everyone … So painful. I can barely breathe.

“Jaimi will forever be remembered as a caring, bright and loving soul who always put others before herself.

“Her love of flowers, cooking, art, decorating, photography, babies, the beach, and helping others will always be remembered.

“Our hearts are broken and the pain is unbearable but we cherish every wonderful moment we got to share with our treasured and so loved first child.

“We thank all the paramedics, support staff and the incredible team at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for their tireless commitment to give us the extra time we were able to spend with Jaimi.

“It goes without saying that this is a very difficult time for our family and all who knew and loved Jaimi so very much.”

Pictured here, Jaimi Kenny with her father Grant and mother Lisa Curry.
Jaimi Kenny is pictured next to her father Grant and behind mother Lisa Curry, following her mother's announcement of heart surgery in 2008. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Kenny remembered as ‘bright, loving soul’

Grant Kenny announced the devastating news in a statement on Monday night.

“It is with a very heavy heart that Lisa and I confirm that our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital this morning in the company of loving family,” the statement read.

“Jaimi will forever be remembered as a caring, bright and loving soul who always put others before herself.

“Our hearts are broken and the pain is immense but we must move forward cherishing every wonderful moment we got to share with our treasured first child.

“We thank the incredible team at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for their tireless commitment to making her better and giving us as the extra time we were able to spend with her.

"It goes without saying that this is a very difficult time for family and friends and we trust we will all be allowed to grieve in privacy.”

Readers seeking support and information about mental health issues can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.