Miss Alabama Passes Away at 27 After Strange Accident

Zoe Sozo Bethel, the beautiful Miss Alabama who was crowned in 2021, has passed away due to injuries sustained from an undisclosed accident, reported PEOPLE. She was a mother to a little girl, and a friend to many. She was only 27 years old. Her family announced the death on her Instagram page and is raising money to help cover her funeral costs.

Following an accident this week, unspecified by the family, Bethel suffered severe damage to her brain and brain stem causing her to go into a coma, said her family via Instagram. The heartfelt post is below:

On Friday, February 18, 2022, at approximately 5:30AM Eastern time in Miami, Florida, our beloved Zoe Sozo Bethel passed from this life into the next as a result of succumbing to her injuries.

Zoe touched the hearts of many people and was actively affiliated with several organizations and groups namely, she was the current Miss Alabama (for America Strong), a political commentator for RSBN, a Brand Ambassador for Turning Point USA, and Liberty University’s Falkirk Center. She was also a spokeswoman for Students for Life and affiliated with Project Veritas.

At this time of bereavement, effectual and fervent prayers are solicited for the family members, and the family asks that their privacy wishes be honored and respected.

The family members sincerely appreciate all of the kind words and expressions of love for Zoe.

For those who would like to show additional support, you may click on the link above. This support will help cover medical and burial arrangement costs for Zoe.

Additional information about burial arrangements and other matters will be provided at a later date by the family. *please send any images, thoughts, prayers etc. to [email protected]

According to the family’s social media posts, Bethel suffered ‘severe damage to her brain/brainstem’ on February 10 in an unspecified accident in Miami. She was in a coma until February 18 before she passed away.

But some reports are coming in that the beauty queen was in a coma for more than a week after suffering brain injuries when she fell from a seven-story residential building

A message posted on February 14 said that ‘unfortunately the doctors are saying the damage cannot be repaired & that she may not have much time left.’

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In addition to the Miss Alabama for America Strong pageant, Bethel was a political commentator for conservative media company Right Side Broadcasting Network, a brand ambassador for Turning Point USA and involved at Liberty University’s Falkirk Center, her family said.

Of the various types of brain injuries possible, brain stem damage is by far the most life-threatening. The brain stem is home to the most basic life functions, and the resulting damage can be devastating.

Located at the base of the skull directly above the spinal cord, the brain stem is perhaps the most important region of the entire brain. It is responsible for all the functions that keep you alive and aware of your surroundings.

The brain stem comprises three major sections:

• Midbrain – At the top of the brain stem rests the midbrain. This structure plays a large role in muscle movement, particularly eye movement.
• Pons – Below the midbrain lies the pons. The pons acts as a bridge between the cerebellum and spinal cord and helps control your balance, among other things.
• Medulla – Finally, at the bottom of the brain stem is the medulla.The medulla is in charge of essential life functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and swallowing.

Bethel’s death hits the beauty pageant community hard after last month losing former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst from an apparent suicide from the top of her building.

Kryst’s mother opened up about losing her daughter.

“I have never known a pain as deep as this. I am forever changed. Today, what our family and friends privately knew was the cause of death of my sweet baby girl, Cheslie, was officially confirmed,” her mother, April Simpkins, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“While it may be hard to believe, it’s true. Cheslie led both a public and a private life. In her private life, she was dealing with high-functioning depression which she hid from everyone — including me, her closest confidant — until very shortly before her death,” Simpkins continued.

Kryst joins a long list of other high-profile people whose high-functioning depression tragically ended in suicide. Kryst, designer Kate Spade, fashion icon Alexander McQueen and actor Robin Williams are all perfect examples of what high functioning depression is.

While we don’t know all the details surrounding Bethel’s accident, we pray that it wasn’t a result of the same issues and continue to pray for her family.