Sophia Leone's heartbreaking post weeks before 26-year-old porn star was found dead in her New Mexico apartment

Tragic adult film star Sophia Leone asked her fans to go outside and appreciate life in one of her final PG-social media posts, amid reports that police are investigating her death as murder.

The 26-year-old was found dead at her home in New Mexico on March 1, and her agency 101 Modelling said the death was being investigated as a 'home invasion homicide'.

She had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone where she posted racy shots from her glamorous film shoots.

But, in one of her final posts, she urged them to find joy in the world around them in a poignant, and fully clothed, last post on the platform.

'Go outside and just appreciate life a little extra today,' she wrote.

The joy of the great outdoors: Sophia Leone in one of her final social media posts

The 26-year-old had earned an army of fans for her racy performances in adult films  

A Gofundme appeal looked set to reached its $12,000 target this afternoon as devastated friends and colleagues reacted to her sudden death.

'Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend,' her stepfather Mike Romero wrote on the crowdfunding page.

'She had a deep love for all animals, specifically her three pets.

'She enjoyed traveling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile.

Sophia will be deeply missed but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.'

Friends in her native Miami paid their tributes including Brian Berke, who founded AMA Modeling in 2004.

'At 18 years old you started with me at AMA and now at 26 I have to say goodbye,' he wrote.

'I'm speechless and heartbroken. I can't believe what I'm seeing,' former colleague Gina Valentine added.

Fans of the star have also been remembering her on X and posting tributes.

One person wrote: 'First we lose Akira Toriyama now we lose Sophia Leone. Life is too short, beautiful and tragic. May they rest in peace.'

Another added: 'Is this Sophia Leone news real??? I feel sick to my stomach.'

One adult creator who supposedly worked with the popular star wrote: 'Sophia Leone was a great member of our industry and she'll be missed.

'We bumped shoulders here and there, but I never really got the pleasure of having a friendship with her, I sincerely hope her family and friends are able to have a peaceful space to process her loss RIP.'

Her stepfather said was found unresponsive in her home by family members and that police were investigating the circumstances of her death.

The industry has suffered a spate of tragedies in recent weeks with the apparent suicide of Kagney Linn Karter last month, and the discovery of Jesse Jane, real name Cindy Taylor, found dead at 43 alongside her boyfriend at their home in Oklahoma days earlier.

Meanwhile Emily Willis is in a 'vegetative coma' and 'fighting for her life', her stepfather Michael Willis has revealed.

Willis was rushed from a popular celebrity rehab center in Malibu on February 5 to a medical facility in Thousand Oaks, California, after authorities received a call about the 25-year-old, who was found unresponsive.

'Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend,' her stepfather Mike Romero wrote on a crowdfunding appeal

The Miami-born model had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone

A Gofundme appeal looked set to reached its $12,000 target this afternoon as devastated friends and colleagues reacted to her sudden death

She had been staying at the facility to receive treatment for addiction, although it is unclear for what exactly and for how long.

Michael Willis denied claims that she had 'overdosed,' saying: 'Emily was receiving the treatment and help she needed at the time of the incident to overcome her struggles.

'Emily remains in a vegetative coma and is fighting for her life.'

Dailymail.com has reached out to Albuquerque Police for comment.