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Former Neighbours actor Miranda Fryer has passed away at the age of 34. The former child actor, who played Sky Mangel as a child, died in her sleep on January 6.

In a statement made to TV Tonight, Ms Fryer’s family said, “True soulmates, Miranda and Arthur were making plans to start their family, when one day last week she went to sleep and never woke up. We do not know why.” Arthur refers to her husband, Arthur Pothitis.

“She had had some health issues with her heart, maybe her beautiful persona was just too good for this world of ours. We, who all loved her so much, shall treasure the memories she has left us with and mourn our loss forever.

“A beautiful child, stunning teenager, beautiful inside, and out … a woman, with so much love and happiness given and received. So many friends, so much still to offer this world, gone.”

Ms Fryer was the first child actor contracted to appear on the show and first played Sky Mangel, the daughter of Joe Mangel, played by Mark Little, and Kerry Bishop, played by Linda Hartley-Clark, in 1989. Her mother Traci Hunter told the Herald Sun that she was initially only supposed to be on the show for six weeks, but the storyline was extended and she was contracted for three years. Ms Hunter said, “She had so much fun on the show but when she was going to start school I really felt that it was not a good idea for her to continue as she deserved to have a childhood.” Ms Fryer was just 18 months old when she joined the Neighbours cast. The character was later reintroduced as a teenager in 2003, played by Stephanie McIntosh.

Ms Fryer had recently finished her nursing degree and was due to start a postgraduate position at Monash Hospital’s neuroscience department. Ms Hunter said she was the “most wonderful daughter”, adding, “She had so much love and passion for life. She was a truly kind loving person, almost too good to be true – obviously she was too good to be true as she has been taken from us so early.”

Image: Channel Ten

This article first appeared on OverSixty.