Former Miss Venezuela dies of cancer

Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall, has died of breast cancer at 28.

Her family said she died at a hospital in Houston, Texas.

She was crowned Miss Venezuela at 17 in 2000, and the following year she was third runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico.

She went on to work as a model, actress and television news anchor.

She also wrote a book, Fuera de Foco (Out of Focus), about her struggle with cancer, which included images by photographer Roberto Mata.

Her family said her remains were being cremated in Houston and that a service was to be held in Venezuela once her remains are returned to the country.

She was married to a radio producer and had a two-year-old daughter.

Her death brought an outpouring of condolences from Venezuelans, including from some prominent artists and politicians.

Her husband posted a photo on Twitter showing a close-up of his hand holding hers, resting on a hospital bed, with the words “Always together ... I love you wife.”