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.