Leanza Cornett, who was
crowned Miss America in 1993, has passed away after a gruesome head injury at
the age of 49.

The news of her death first
broke on a Facebook fan’s page that was following Cornett’s condition after she
was hospitalized for the head injury. That post read:

“Dear Disney family

I’m here to let you know Leanza passed this afternoon. She
was so loved. I don’t feel like writing a lot right now; my heart is broken.

Sue”

Shortly after, Miss America
Organization confirmed the tragic death of Leanza Cornett in a statement
reading, “Leanza had a bright and beautiful spirit and her laugh was
infectious. We know she meant so much to so many, including all of you.”

“We are devastated by
this sudden loss in our Miss America family and we are deeply sorry for her
family and close for their loss,” the statement reads. “At the moment, we do
not have any further information regarding service for Leanza and we ask that
you please respect her family during this difficult time.”

According to Leanza
Cornett’s fan page, the former Miss America met an accident on October 12.
Since then, the Facebook page had been closely monitoring her condition and
praying for her speedy recovery. On Saturday afternoon, the post quoted
Cornett’s mother, Patti, updating on her daughter’s condition saying, “no news
is good news.”

It’s still unclear how
former Miss America sustained fatal head injury. A post shared on the fan page
on October 18 explained details surrounding the former beauty queen’s
condition.

“She sustained an
enormous blow to the back of her head. The surgery she had on Tuesday was to
stop the bleeding in her brain. Right now there is some continued bleeding and
swelling,” a post read at that time. “Brian injuries are not black and white.
We have to just take this day by day. She has an incredible medical team taking
care of her.”

Upon the news of her
death, Leanza’s ex-husband and veteran television celebrity Mark Steins,
offered his condolences to the family and expressed his grief on Instagram.

“It
is with a heavy heart that I share with you the passing of my ex-wife, Leanza
the mother to our two extraordinary sons Kai and Avery. We will always remember
the wonderful times shared during her short time here on earth,” he captioned
his post with the picture of the deceased. “I find comfort knowing Kai and
Avery will forever have the best guardian angel watching over them as they
navigate life’s path.”

Mark pleaded fans to
keep Leanza’s parents and family in prayers.

A
short glimpse at Leanza’s life:

Source: NYTimes

Leanza Cornett was a
remarkable woman and a mother of two. Born in 1971 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia,
she spent most of her childhood in Jacksonville and graduated from Terry Parker
High School in 1989. She was also included in her school’s Hall of Fame in
2006. She was also a student at Jacksonville University.

Source: Getty Images

Cornett was also
crowned Miss Florida in 1992. After winning the most prestigious beauty title
of Miss America in 1993, she became the first beauty queen to adopt AIDS
awareness and prevention as her platform for her year of the service. She was
also one of the first Miss America winners to refuse to wear the Miss America
crown at public appearances.

Later, Leanza Cornett
was casted in a live-action version of “Ariel” in the “Little Mermaid” stage
show at Walt Disney World Resort in 1991. She was the first actress to ever
play that role.

She served as a host for the most part of her career; she hosted shows like Entertainment Tonight
(1994-1995), New Attitudes (1998),
and Who Wants to Marry a
Multi-Millionaire? (2000), and also made guest appearances in multiple TV
series including Melrose Place, The Tick,
and Fear Factor.

Source: Getty Images

In 1995, she got
married to broadcast journalist, Mark Steins on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.
Later in 2013, the couple decided to part ways after 17 years of marriage.

Cornett leaves behind
two sons- Avery Steins, 16 and Kai Steins, 18.