Former America’s Next Top Model contender, killed in triple homicide

19-year-old Mirjana Puhar’s family migrated to the US from Serbia during the Kosovo war in 1999

Police confirmed that a recent contestant on America’s Next Top Model has been shot dead in a home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mirjana Puhar, 19, was among three people whose bodies were found in the home Tuesday evening, reported TMZ.

The other victims were Puhar’s boyfriend of a few months, 23-year-old Jonathan Alvarado, and his roommate and best friend, Jusmar Gonzaga-Garcia, 21. Puhar is believed to have moved in recently with Alvarado and Gonzaga-Garcia.

Emmanuel Jesus Rangel, 19, has been arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder for killing the reality show star, as well as Alvarado and Garcia. It appeared the incident was drug-related and that the victims and suspect knew one another, police said.  In addition to these three counts of murder, Rangel was also charged with a homicide that took place in Matthews, NC, on Sunday, reports E! Online.

The upcoming model appeared on cycle 21 of ANTM last year and was eliminated in the 10^th  episode. Her death brought about condolences from other ANTM alum and the judges on the show.

Miss J Alexander, one of the judges on the show tweeted, “Saddened to learn about #ANTM Cycle 21 contestant Mirjana Puhar’s murder. Remembering her fondly. RIP,” reported Sydney Morning Herald.

Male model Will Jardell tweeted, “@mirjanapuhar you are an amazing human being and you will be extremely missed. All I can do is think about the hilarious memories we’ve had together and smile. You are one of the kindest most passionate people I know and I am at a loss knowing that you are gone. Reality TV may have painted you one way but make no mistake you are an incredible and loving person that the world will truly miss.”

Puhar’s mentor, Tyra Banks, along with co-executive producer Ken Mok were ‘deeply saddened’ by the horrific news and have released a statement,  revealing their thoughts on the former contestant’s untimely death. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news about Mirjana Puhar. She was a vivacious and promising young woman. Our hearts and prayers go out to her loved ones,” the statement read, reported HollywoodLife.com.

Puhar’s family migrated to the US from Serbia during the Kosovo war in 1999, when she was about five.

She began modelling at the age of 12 and dropped out of high school to pursue her passion.

She was romantically involved with another contestant, Denzel Wells, from Houston, Texas, during their time on the show.

“We definitely click. We definitely enjoy each other’s company,” he had said.

Puhar was the youngest contestant on the show and was often portrayed as a loud mouth and villain. She frequently got into yelling spurts on the show, including several with Wells. But they seemed to have remained friends.

“I do hate the way she’s being portrayed on the show. But nobody knows her like I know her. It sounds so clichéd, but it really is true,” Wells had said.

“The connection between Mirjana and I is far greater than anybody else’s in the house. It’s a good feeling,” he had revealed after the cycle of the show came to a close.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th,  2015.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.