Top Model contestant Paulina Lerch has been tragically found dead.
Authorities suspect that Paulina's husband, Sławomir, fatally shot the model and reality TV star before turning the gun on himself. He was discovered inside the house with fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wounds, where police believe he killed Paulina, who was 33 years old.
The couple was found lifeless after Paulina's family reported being unable to reach them for more than a week. They were discovered at their residence in Poznań City, Poland, on September 1, The Mirror reports.
The house had been locked from the inside, and a revolver was found next to their bodies. It is still unclear whether Paulina was murdered by her husband or if the couple had entered a suicide pact. Her family, concerned after not hearing from her, contacted the police.
The timing of the incident remains unknown, but local authorities hope that an autopsy will help estimate when the shooting occurred and provide more clarity on the circumstances of their deaths, which were complicated by advanced decomposition.
A full investigation is currently underway. Sławomir, 47, was allegedly involved in drug trafficking and had been arrested in April or May of this year along with 30 others after authorities seized 60kg of drugs hidden in a warehouse.
Paulina had appeared on the Polish edition of the show twice, first in 2010 and again in 2018. After marrying Sławomir, who was nicknamed Klakson, she chose to keep their relationship private.
During her initial appearance on Top Model in 2010, Paulina was asked to act like a dolphin on the runway, a task that led to a controversial response from the judges.
Despite complying, she was eliminated from the competition, with the judges saying: "This is not Top Orka."
Determined, she returned in 2018 after losing about 20kg over eight years, but her second attempt also ended in disappointment as she was not able to progress to the next round.
Since news of her death, social media has been flooded with tributes. One friend wrote: "I don't believe it," accompanied by crying emojis and black hearts. Another commented: "I'm going to miss you so much, you were so lovely, I can't believe that I won't see or hear from you anymore, rest in peace my angel."
A third tribute read: "Paula, I don't believe it." Another mourner expressed: "Expressions of deep sympathy for Loved Ones, she was an amazing woman, she infected optimism around her, the giraffe did not bring you happiness. May you rest in peace."
