HEATHER BRATTON, Supermodel 1987-2006

Heather Bratton the model

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In Loving Memory of Heather Bratton

Here are just some of fellow models, industry insiders and fans from around the world who send their condolences. A complete List is on the HeatherBratton.com website

Rest In Peace, Heather. You are a most beautiful angel with the most incredible cheekbones. I’ll be always loving you, and much love to your family.

Amor
From Shanghai
2006-07-26 18:05:05


May your beautiful pictures serve as memories to your life.
Rest In Peace

Jordan
-
2006-07-26 18:29:10


Thank you for gracing us with your presence in the glossy!
May you Rest in Peace, Heather Bratton.

Maria
Research Assistance-NYC
2006-07-26 19:08:07



R.I.P. lovely Heather

Anna M
Model
2006-07-26 20:16:24


My deepest sympathy for Heathers family, friends and boyfriend.
Heather was an amazing girl that I enjoyed knowing.
She deserved such a long and happy life and it is truly a tragedy that she was takened away like this.
My comforts to all of you!

Freja
Model
2006-07-26 21:22:42



We will always love you.
We will never forget you.

Ivan
From Russia
2006-07-27 00:12:01


heather was a beautiful young girl, and it’s a tragic loss – rest in peace heather…

Elena
Photographer
2006-07-27 00:30:00


My prayers are with your family …
I was a big fan of Heather and thought she was so bueatiful.

Jason Muirbrook
Male Model
2006-07-27 03:08:47


Rest in peace Heather.

Dorothy / Poland
Student
2006-07-27 09:28:06


May God rest his hands upon the hearts of those that loved her and may he guide those that suffer of her loss.
Heather may you rest in peace.

Sabina
Writer/playwrite
2006-07-27 09:42:38


rip heather…you had an amazing career and so many of us are glad you were able to live the life you wanted.

Elizabeth
Model
2006-07-27 11:43:39


*We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Heather.
She will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with all her friends and family.
May she rest in peace.

All at Storm Model Management

Tracie
Storm odel Management
2006-07-27 12:56:16



Heather, you may not be here, but you will always be in our hearts.
Rest in peace.

Chi
Heather fan
2006-07-27 13:54:42


Gorgeous Heather, your beauty will never be forgotten…
Love and support to the Bratton Family.
May she rest in peace. All at d’management group.

Markus
D’management group
2006-07-27 14:08:42


Rest in peace beautiful Heather.
Now you’re a star in heaven, we will miss you.
All my thoughts and prayers goes to your family and friends

Deedee (Belgium)
Freelance Illustrator
2006-07-27 16:05:41



I was greatly shocked and saddened about the tragedy.
Heather, may you rest in peace.
You were so young, had so much going for you, and I will remember you.

To the family-all my condolences go out..I cannot imagine the pain,
My heart goes out to you.God Bless.

Aleksandra
Fellow model
2006-07-27 20:01:17


Heather, It comes with great sadness to learn of your death,
You will be missed very much.
Rest in peace and may we meet again someday.

Sean
Theones2watch
2006-07-27 22:07:48


we worked with Heather the first time last fall season and she was really taking off.
I liked how she was rough around the edges yet had a really cool beautiful look to her.
May she rest in peace and condolences to her friends and family.


Michelle
Assistant designer, anna sui
2006-07-27 00:05:31



I’m absolutely heartbroken to hear about something like this happening to someone as beautiful as Heather.
My prayers go out to her family.

Chris Collins
Production Coordinator
2006-07-27 01:29:32



sending love and prayers to heather’s family family from nyc.
She was an amazing beauty and surely will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Her work will live on and so will her memory.

E.J.
Photographer
2006-07-27 01:32:41



Sad the tragedies this world holds. I work with girls like Heather everyday, and it pains me to see her passing.
May she rest in peace.

Brianne
Makeup artist
2006-07-27 03:56:02



What happen is tragic
She was beautiful and talented woman
Prayers and condolences to heather’s family
r.i.p. heather <3>

jess
model
2006-07-27 11:18:53


I WILL MISS YOU

CHIH-JUNG LIU
2006.07.28 FROM TAIWAN
2006-07-28 05:31:12



Heather your image can’t escape my mind. You were beautiful.
Hope you know you were loved by many. We love you!

*Heather’s Family if you are reading this I am so sorry really you are in my heart.
She was special. I hope you have many fun times with her. Her beautiful soul is watching you.

Holly
Img
2006-07-28 06:01:14


hhheeyyy!!! I love you!!!

CHARLS PASION
MODEL
2006-07-28 06:24:34


U’re such a beautiful girl. May u rest in peace!


Nickholas (SG)
Hairstylist
2006-07-28 09:31:38



*We spent a short but intense time close to you.
In loving Memory.

RIP Heather

W Paris
Agency
2006-07-28 15:21:15



Heaven sent and heaven stole
You’ll be in my heart
From this day onNow and forever more
You’ll be in my heart
No matter what they sayYou’ll be in my heart

AlwaysYour model friend
m.v.
model
2006-07-28 15:17:39



“You’ve lived a life that’s full,
you’ve traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this,
You did it your way.”

Rest in Peace, Heather.

M.M.
A NY fashion insider
2006-07-28 21:15:20



the news was chilling for EVERYONE.
Her family her friends her fans…however people must remember to REMEMBER THE MEMORIES and remember her as who she was and who she will always be. May her soul rest and may we send love and condolences to her family and loved ones. See you at the cross roads heather.

Michelle
Model
2006-07-28 21:36:15



Heather was so beautiful inside and out. Such a tragic loss. I am so sorry for her family and friends – my thoughts are with you.
Everyone who came in touch with her was blessed. She will be hugely missed and wonderfully remembered.

R.I.P., lovely girl.

Amelia in London
Writer
2006-07-29 08:26:22


My deepest sympathy for Heathers family and friends. She’ll be greatly missed. She deserves it do be on a better place than this planet.

Querelle
Model
2006-07-30 02:03:20


God bless her soul& her family

R.I.P. lovely

Lisa
Model
2006-07-30 04:16:40


Heather I will miss u.
I will always remember u –x-

Hanne
Model and roommate
2006-07-30 09:28:58

I keep on, reading the message on the agencywebsite hoping it will dissepere and that all her pictures are back on its place that its just a mistake. I feel deeply sad about it and wish all the strength and support for ones who loved her.
I will always remeber her as the helpfull girl she was. –x- God take care of heather and her family.

Hanne Gaby
Supremngmt roommate #602
2006-07-30 11:32:19

It is always hard for everyone when something like this happens. I know that God has some special plans for her and I am sure he takes good care of her while she is in heaven. She was very beautiful girl and she did very well as a model.

I send all my thoughts and love to her family.

Madeleine

Model

2006-07-31 12:16:38

I’m so sorry for your loss. She was gorgeous and will be remembered by all.

Louisa
Model
2006-08-02 17:47:06


R.I.P. Heather! You were an inspiration to me when I started modeling and to countless others as well!
You will always be loved.

Andrea
Model
2006-08-02 07:49:04

rest in peace I am Spanish model and I am so sorry for her lost…I do not what to do I am so shocked…only say that I could speak with she in a backstage in Milan and I thought she was a fantastic girl and very young to dead so sorry

marina perez

model

2006-08-02 17:54:39

Rest in Peace, beautiful girl. My heart goes out to the family…

Sophie
Model in the Netherlands
2006-08-03 18:53:57

heather was beautiful. Her parents must have been so proud of her. She will profoundly missed on the runway. I guess I wish I got to know her better. It so sad, this whole thing is just amazingly sad. She lovedm and therefore she was.

Just a fellow model
Model
2006-08-04 08:25:35


may your soul rest in heaven

Federico
Model
2006-08-05 10:31:27

love you, heather I’m hving a great time working with youGod Bless…

Lily Cole

model

2006-08-05 16:01:50

LOVE YOU

Carmen kass

model

2006-08-05 16:02:49

god bless

Gemma W
model
2006-08-05 16:05:14

Remembering Heather Bratton - Supermodel

Where to begin? July ends with a somber remembrance and tribute. But before I continue, I want to add my profound thoughts on models.... Lately, models have been victims of unfortunate circumstances. I remember Petra Nemcova. The South Asian Tsunami horror. What a miracle she even survived! Just the thought of what she went through. It's incomprehensible. Unimaginable. Unforgettable nightmare. Thank God she made it. Sadly her photographer boyfriend didn't.

Then there's this young model from NEXT who accidentally opened the wrong door of the trailer she was riding on. In full speed at the Gowanus Expressway she tumbles out on the highway. Happened in the afternoon! Luckily there weren't alot of cars. She could've easily been run over. Miracles upon miracles she survived. With non-life-threatening injuries, there's no doubt she'll get back to modeling.

Jai Santos 18 (from Hungary) she's one of the models from Heidi Klum's Project Runway. She made it to the finals in the top three for the modeling competition thanks to her "designer"! On her way to the shooting, riding her bike she was struck by a bus that dragged her along. She survived , but had a broken eye socket , lacerations, broken legs and arms. Was in a coma for 2 weeks (i believe). Her agent said she's modeling to support her parents in the rural countryside of Hungary. When she finally came through, she said, "am I still on Project Runway?" Breaks your heart doesn't it? She survived and is recovering.


Here's the most painful and heartbreaking of all the chain of mishaps. Heather Bratton 19 of Women NY, Women Paris and Women Milan modeling agencies sudden death shocked the fashion world. But the news of her tragic death was slow to reach those that worked with her; fellow models and industry insiders alike. The reason for this is that authorities had her as "an unidentified 19 yr old. woman from Florida".

These are the New Jersey newspapers who covered the crash...

THE NEW JERSEY STAR-LEDGER:

Turnpike crash kills 1, injures 3 Sunday, July 23, 2006

A 19-year-old Florida woman was killed and three other people were hurt early yesterday when three cars collided on the New Jersey Turnpike in Newark, State Police said. The accident occurred just after 5 a.m. on the southbound off-ramp leading to Interchanges 14A, B and C.

State Police Sgt. Jeanne Hengemuhle said a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria was stopped for an unknown reason in the ramp's center lane when it was rear-ended by a 1996 Toyota RAV4. The Crown Victoria shot forward and smashed into the back of a 2005 Toyota Sienna, which had stopped to assist the Crown Victoria, Hengemuhle said. Both the Crown Victoria and RAV4 burst into flames. The Florida woman, who was sitting in the back seat of the Crown Victoria, was trapped inside the vehicle and died in the fire, Hengemuhle said. The woman has not been identified. The car's driver, 30-year-old Selim Koskar of Brooklyn, suffered burns throughout his body and was taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center for treatment. The driver of the RAV4, 22-year-old Ramon Sanchez of Jersey City, suffered broken ribs and facial lacerations, Hengemuhle said.

Yoa Murry, 44, of the Bronx, who was driving the Sienna, suffered burns to his right leg. Both Sanchez and Murry were taken to University Hospital in Newark, Hengemuhle said.

The accident forced authorities to close the Interchange for more than five hours. It was reopened at around 10:15 a.m.



THE JERSEY JOURNAL:

Jersey City man among two burned in Turnpike pileup Monday, July 24, 2006

Jersey City man was injured in a New Jersey Turnpike crash that also killed a 19-year-old Florida woman and injured two others, State Police said. The accident occurred Saturday just after 5 a.m. in Newark, on the southbound off-ramp leading to Interchanges 14A, B and C.

State Police Sgt. Jeanne Hengemuhle said a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria was stopped for an unknown reason in the ramp's center lane when it was rear-ended by a 1996 Toyota RAV4 driven by 22-year-old Ramon Sanchez of Jersey City. The Crown Victoria shot forward and smashed into the back of a 2005 Toyota Sienna, which had stopped to assist the Crown Victoria, Hengemuhle said.

Both the Crown Victoria and RAV4 burst into flames. The Florida woman, who was sitting in the back seat of the Crown Victoria, was trapped inside the vehicle and died in the fire, Hengemuhle said. The woman has not been identified. The car's driver, 30-year-old Selim Koskar of Brooklyn, suffered burns throughout his body and was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Libingston for treatment. Sanchez suffered broken ribs and facial lacerations, Hengemuhle said. Yoa Murry, 44, of the Bronx, who was driving the Sienna, suffered burns to his right leg. Both Sanchez and Murry were taken to University Hospital in Newark, Hengemuhle said.

The accident forced authorities to close the interchange for more than five hours.


Rumors started to run rampant on the internet Tuesday. However, nothing came up on Heather for a confirmation. Her agency sites had nothing on her. Gradually, word got out to industry people. After FashionWeekDaily was notified by a source, they wrote this article:

Remembering Heather Bratton Teen model killed in car accident

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

NEW YORK) After a flurry of Internet rumors sparked speculation in the fashion world, the unfortunate gossip has been confirmed: model Heather Bratton was killed in a car crash over the weekend. The 19-year-old Tampa, Fl. native, described by those in the industry as “smart and soft spoken,” was en route to Newark International Airport in a taxi that was struck by another vehicle.

In her first fashion season, Bratton walked for style luminaries like Chanel, Dior, Marc Jacobs, and Prada. She also starred in this season’s Balenciaga campaign and was the focus of Steven Meisel’s recent cover of Vogue Italia.

When called for comment, Bratton’s American agency, Women Management, said, “What happened is horrible and our week has been very sad…we love Heather.”


Confirmation of the tragic accident started to fly.

Official statement of death was released on the Storm Models UK site:

26 Jul 2006 - Heather Bratton

We are saddened to inform you of the sudden and tragic death of Heather Bratton. She passed away in a car accident, on Saturday, 22 July.

Storm send our love and condolences to the Bratton family.

Her images will remain on our website, in loving memory of her.

(makes me want to cry)



Not too soon after , after many speculations why Women NY took so long to make a statement they finally posted a press release of her official death.

WOMEN management NY

July 27, 2006

Heather Bratton died Saturday July 22 in a tragic crash on her way to Newark airport. We were fortunate to work with Heather Bratton over the past year. Heather was a sweet , gentle and thoughtful girl who achieved a remarkable level of success during her first year modeling, which is a credit to her distinct beauty and spirit. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.


Sincerely,

Woman models


Nearly a week after her death , a source, informed The New York Post of Heather's tragic car crash over the past weekend. On Sunday July 30, 2006 NY Post had a full page of her tragic death.

SUNDAY'S NEW YORK POST:


COVER GIRLKILLED IN SMASHUP
TEEN WAS RISING STAR OF RUNWAY

By PHILIP RECCHIA


July 30, 2006 -- A stunning 19-year-old cover girl - a ringer for Kate Moss but her polar opposite in attitude - died in a fiery auto accident on a New Jersey highway after a Manhattan photo shoot.

Heather Bratton, a dark-haired catwalker for fashion labels Chloe and Miu Miu whose seductive, sultry look had taken the European runways by storm, was killed on July 22 when her car-service limo broke down in the middle lane of the New Jersey Turnpike and was rear-ended by a Toyota SUV, her family said.

Both cars erupted into flames, and Bratton, in the back of the Ford Crown Victoria, never made it out.

Authorities did not immediately identify the teen, and news accounts of the crash were sketchy, but word of the stunner's death began to seep out through the fashion world later in the week.

"She flew up [July 20] for a photo shoot for W magazine," said her stepfather, Tim Kerrigan, in a telephone interview from the family's hometown of Wesley Chapel, Fla.


"She was supposed to fly home [the next night], but the area got into some stormy weather, so she got a 7:30 a.m. flight on Saturday [from Newark Airport]. She took a cab from her hotel in New York."

The family - mother, Kerrigan and four brothers and sisters - was packing Friday for a trip to South Carolina, where Heather was to be buried, Kerrigan said.

Bratton's driver, Selim Koskar, 30, of Brooklyn, suffered burns on his entire body and was in critical condition at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, N.J. Two other people were injured in the crash.


Bratton, who was born in West Virginia and raised in the Tampa area, was signed last year by the international modeling agency Women Management.

"She told me when she was 12 that she wanted to be a model," Kerrigan said.


He added that she went to modeling school at age 15 and wanted to be an actress but enjoyed her runway work.

"She did really well, and sometimes she got really well paid," her stepdad said. "But, for her, it wasn't about the money; it was about doing what she dreamed of doing."


During her brief career, she graced the cover of Italian Vogue in a shoot by famed fashion fotog Steven Meisel. And this summer, she strutted down catwalks in Milan and Paris, modeling for Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Chanel.


"With haunting dark eyes, strong cheekbones and a face that lends itself to many different looks, Heather is reminiscent of a young Kate Moss," one fashion critic gushed.


But Heather off the catwalk wasn't anything like Moss. "She was very grounded, very strong in her faith, a strong Christian," Kerrigan said. "To her, it was a job. She enjoyed it, but she hated anybody making a big deal about it."

Soon after The Post's story major website, Yahoo, MSN alike and newspapers around the nation flooded with reports of...

Promising model ID'd as victim of crash --headlined

From AP
By BONNIE PFISTER, Associated Press Writer Sun Jul 30, 1:21 PM ET

TRENTON, N.J. - A young woman killed in a fiery crash on the New Jersey Turnpike was a promising 19-year-old fashion model who recently appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue.

New Jersey State Police confirmed Sunday that Heather Bratton died at the scene of a three-car collision on July 22.

A statement on the Web site of her booking agency, Women Management, said she was en route to Newark International Airport. Her stepfather, Tim Kerrigan, told The New York Post she had been in New York for a magazine photo shoot.

Bratton, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., was photographed by noted fashion photographer Steven Meisel for a recent Italian Vogue cover. She also appeared this summer in shows in Milan and Paris, modeling for Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Chanel.

"Heather was a sweet, gentle and thoughtful girl who achieved a remarkable level of success during her first year modeling, which is a credit to her distinct beauty and spirit," said the Women Management statement.

Police said the hired car in which she was a passenger had broken down in the center lane of the turnpike, and was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle. Bratton's sedan then struck another car. The SUV and the sedan both caught fire and Bratton was trapped inside.

The accident remained under investigation.

The sedan driver remained in intensive care Sunday at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with burns over his entire body. Two other people suffered lesser injuries.


ABC News: Jul 30 10:45 am

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Crash

Promising fashion model Heather Bratton , 19, i dentified as the victim of the fiery N.J. car crash.

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Crash
Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Jul 30 10:32 AM

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Crash
WJLA-TV Washington D.C. - Jul 30 11:55 AM

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Fiery Crash
CBS 2 New York - Jul 30 12:13 PM

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Fiery Crash
WPVI-TV Philadelphia - 2 hours, 50 minutes ago

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Fiery Crash
phillyburbs.com - Jul 30 9:09 AM

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Fiery Crash
The Daily Comet - Jul 30 10:20 AM

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Fiery Crash
Houston Chronicle - Jul 30 10:47 AM

article takened from AP

Promising Model ID'd As Victim of Fiery Crash
Newsday July 30, 2006, 7:08 PM EDT


TRENTON, N.J. -- A young woman who died in a fiery auto crash on the New Jersey Turnpike earlier this month has been identified as Heather Bratton, a fashion model from Florida that many predicted was on the cusp of fame.

New Jersey State Police confirmed Sunday that 19-year-old Bratton was the passenger who died at the scene of a pre-dawn three-car collision on July 22. A statement on the Web site of her booking agency, Women Management, said she was en route to a flight at Newark International Airport.

Bratton, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., was photographed by noted fashion photographer Steven Meisel for a recent Italian Vogue cover. A dark-eyed brunette whose prominent cheekbones drew comparisons to supermodel Kate Moss, Bratton was poised for greater success, several industry observers had theorized in recent months.

"Heather was a sweet, gentle and thoughtful girl who achieved a remarkable level of success during her first year modeling, which is a credit to her distinct beauty and spirit," according to a Women Management statement. "We were fortunate to work with her."

A phone call to her family's home Sunday was not immediately returned. Her stepfather, Tim Kerrigan, told The New York Post for Sunday's editions that Bratton had flown to New York for a July 20 magazine photo shoot.

Stormy weather prevented her return flight the following night. She was en route to the airport in a car-service sedan Saturday morning when the vehicle broke down in the center lane of the turnpike, and was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle.

State Police last week said the Crown Victoria, in which Bratton was a passenger, was struck by a Toyota RAV4 at southbound Exit 14. It plowed into a Toyota Sienna stopped in front of it that authorities believe had stopped to render aid. The RAV4 and the sedan both caught on fire. Bratton was trapped inside and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Crown Victoria, 30-year-old Selim Koskar, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was hospitalized with multiple burns on his entire body. He was still in intensive care Sunday at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

Ramon Sanchez, 23, of Jersey City, suffered broken bones while Bronx, N.Y.-resident Yoa Murry, 44, the Sienna's drive, suffered burns to his leg.

The accident remains under investigation.

Bratton was born in Virginia and raised near Tampa, Fla., relatives said. This summer she appeared on catwalks in Milan and Paris, modeling for Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Chanel.

She was to be buried in South Carolina, the Post reported.



*The news of her tragic death shocked everyone who knew her as well as fans who followed her and who followed various models and fashion. It saddens and pains me too because I see these girls on photo shoots, parties, shows in and around the city. It's such a great loss to lose a young, successful model. The industry lost one of its best. So young, so beautiful and so promising. May you Rest in Peace, Heather.

what a coincidence?

It was World Cup Week and guess who i bumped into at Dublins? Right in front, full view w/ french doors wide opened , people watching, drinking and with a friend? It's none other than Nigel BAHR-KAH! Gorgeous as always.

This running into each other sends my heart a-flutter. I'm beginning to think it's kismet! hehe. In my dreams! Too bad you're married with a kid. (sighssssssssssssssssssssssss).