International Model Found Dead at Costa del Sol Residence
Cristina Perez Galcenco, a 21-year-old international catwalk model, has been discovered deceased at her home in the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain. The tragic discovery was made on Tuesday in Caleta de Velez, near Malaga, sending shockwaves through the fashion community.
Promising Career Cut Short
The Lanzarote-born model had built a promising career, walking runways in major global cities including London, Madrid, Milan, and Paris. She had participated in prestigious events such as Madrid Fashion Week and had been involved in advertising campaigns for brands like Stradivarius. Additionally, she had presented new collections for luxury fashion houses including Versace and Louis Vuitton.
Well-placed sources have indicated that her death is not being treated as suspicious by authorities, though no official cause has been disclosed at this time.
Tributes from the Fashion World
Tributes poured in on Thursday night from colleagues and friends devastated by the loss. Graciela Suarez, director of the Pasarela Campoamor fashion event in Oviedo where Cristina first gained recognition as a teenager, expressed her grief, stating, 'I am devastated.'
Photographer Xana de Jesus offered an emotional tribute, saying, 'I have no words for this sad news, except to tell her parents Tatiana Galcenco and Nacho Perez and her family that a star shines eternally in our hearts.' She added, 'You were and always will be a role model and an example to follow, both in your modelling career and as a person.'
Another heartbroken friend simply stated, 'Cristina is an angel and always was.'
Personal Reflections and Background
In a recent interview, Cristina reflected on her profession, noting, 'My job is to be the image of what a brand wants to represent to the public.' She highlighted the rewarding aspects of meeting diverse people and cultures, but also acknowledged the loneliness that came with constant travel, saying, 'Learning to get along with yourself is one of the most important things.'
She candidly admitted that her immaturity when starting out had posed challenges in dealing with the difficulties of the modelling industry. At the time of her death, she was reportedly undertaking a course in Malaga.
Family and Funeral Arrangements
Cristina was the daughter of former goalkeeper Nacho Perez, who played for clubs including Sporting de Gijon, and her Moldovan-born mother, Tatiana Galcenco. Her parents have not yet commented publicly on social media regarding their daughter's passing.
Her body is expected to be transferred to Asturias in northern Spain, where she grew up, in the coming days to facilitate funeral arrangements. The fashion community and her loved ones are mourning the loss of a young talent whose career showed immense promise.
