Adult Film Actress Dead at 36 From Apparent Suicide

Adult film actress Kagney Linn Karter, 36, died by suicide on Feb. 15 in Cuyahoga County, OH, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help her mother with memorial costs. A representative for the Parma Police Department confirmed to TMZ that Kagney appeared to have taken her own life

Karter began working in the adult film industry in September 2008, doing her first scene with Johnny Sins for Naughty America. In 2009 she was chosen as the June Penthouse "Pet of the Month," appearing on the covers of Hustler and Adult Video News the same year. She was also featured in the 2012 BBC documentary, Twilight of the Porn Stars by filmmaker and journalist Louis Theroux, which delved into amateur pornography and the the effect of video uploads on the porn industry.

However, in 2019 Karter left Los Angeles and moved to northern Ohio, where she became active in the pole dancing community. She eventually even opened her own studio in Akron, the first of its kind.

The GoFundMe was organized by two women who also owned pole dancing studios in Cleveland and Akron, who had helped train Karter when she first moved to the area. They described her as "a performer, a singer, a dancer, a daughter, and a friend."

"Unfortunately, despite all of her many impressive accomplishments and talents, Kagney struggled with mental health issues as the years passed by," the campaign stated. "Even in her darkest days, however, she still showed up to the studio, always ready to learn, contribute, better herself in whatever small way she could manage."

"As alone as she undoubtedly felt within the confines of her own head, she continued to make an effort to show up for her friends and the community who cared about her," it continued. "She fought her own battles with the same tenacity and drive she showed in every other area of her life, with as much strength as she could."

Within three days, the campaign has already raised nearly $16,000 of its $8,000 goal, with any extra funds to be donated to a local animal rescue charity.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).