Porn actress August Ames has died. The medical examiner’s office in Ventura County confirmed her death Wednesday, XBIZ reported. Ames was 23.
“She was the kindest person I ever knew and she meant the world to me,” Ames’ husband Kevin Moore said in a statement. “Please leave this as a private family matter in this difficult time.”
The cause of death has not been disclosed, according to XBIZ.
Ames’ death spurred a Twitter conversation among people in the porn industry about cyberbullying and porn actors’ rights to choose who they work with. Ames’ friends, including porn star Anikka Albrite, reportedly connected Ames’ death to a heated online debate that took place in the days before she died.
Ames tweeted on Sunday suggesting that she did not work with men who have done gay porn.
whichever (lady) performer is replacing me tomorrow for @EroticaXNews , you’re shooting with a guy who has shot gay porn, just to let cha know. BS is all I can say🤷🏽♀️ Do agents really not care about who they’re representing? #ladirect I do my homework for my body🤓✏️🔍
— August Ames (@AugustAmesxxx) December 3, 2017
Ames immediately received backlash and was called homophobic. But she argued she made the choice not to film with men who have shot gay porn because of health and safety concerns.
NOT homophobic. Most girls don’t shoot with guys who have shot gay porn, for safety. That’s just how it is with me. I’m not putting my body at risk, i don’t know what they do in their private lives. https://t.co/MRKt2GrAU4
— August Ames (@AugustAmesxxx) December 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/AlexisMonroexxx/status/937507448620957696
do they not following the same procedures for safety as in straight porn such as HIV testing? Just sounds homophobic
— WhoDatCatsFan⚜️😻 (@WhoDatCatsFan) December 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/AugustAmesxxx/status/937617413855592449
The actress defended herself, saying she could choose who she wanted to work with and that she was not homophobic since she was attracted to women.
Following her death, friends of Ames and others indicated she was suffering from depression and dealing with online bullying.
My heart is broken for my industry sister. People are cruel and depression is a bitch. Please be good to each other. #RIPAugust https://t.co/eX2z2ip9EL
— Anikka Albrite™️ (@AnikkaAlbrite) December 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/KarmenKarma/status/938497361877307398
https://twitter.com/ImBrettRossi/status/938511527740628993
NO ADULT IN THIS INDUSTRY. MOST OF ALL THIS INDUSTRY AND I MEAN NO-FUCKING-BODY HAS TO EVER WORK WITH SOMEONE THEY DON'T WANT. WE COMPROMISE ENOUGH. KEEP YOUR FUCKING FEELINGS TO YOUR SELF IF YOU CAN'T EXCEPT ANOTHER HUMANS CHOICE. YOU HATEFUL FUCKS.
— Tommy Pistol (@TommyPistol) December 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/938511349738479616
Ames’ last tweet said, “fuck y’all.”
fuck y’all
— August Ames (@AugustAmesxxx) December 5, 2017
Brazzers, a porn website, tweeted its condolences to Ames’ friends and family, saying it would postpone the release of a video with Ames that was scheduled for Wednesday night.
Like everyone else we're just hearing about @AugustAmesxxx and we're devastated. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family. Heartbreaking news. RIP
— Brazzers (@Brazzers) December 6, 2017
In light of today's tragic news Brazzers has decided to postpone the release of tonight's scheduled August Ames scene. The scene will be posted at a more appropriate time, as we come to terms with this devastating loss. Thank you for your understanding.
— Brazzers (@Brazzers) December 6, 2017
Other porn websites, including Babes, Digital Playground, and Trendzzz, also expressed their condolences.
For more information about suicide prevention or to speak with someone confidentially, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) or Samaritans (U.K.).