MALAYSIA – A 39-year-old social media influencer, known for promoting her vegan lifestyle, passed away in late July, with reports noting the suspected cause of death was starvation.
Zhanna Samsonova, a Russian national who reportedly amassed millions of views between TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram with her promotion of a “raw vegan” lifestyle and touting herself as a “plant based chef,” passed away on July 21st from apparent starvation, according to local reports out of Malayasia.
Samsonova was reportedly attempting to seek medical treatment in Southeast Asia shortly before she passed, but medical professionals in the region were apparently unable to help her.
A close from of the deceased shared insight into the time leading up to Samsonova’s death, describing her as having looked “haggard” mere months before the apparent starvation took the woman’s life.
“A few months ago, in [Sri Lanka], she already had a haggard look, swollen legs, from which lymph fluid was leaking. They sent her home for treatment. But she ran away again. When I saw her in Phuket, I was horrified. I lived on the floor above and every day I was afraid to find her corpse in the morning. I convinced her to seek out treatment. But she didn’t go to it.”
During Samsonova’s time on social media, she’d reportedly touted how her raw vegan diet helped her maintain a youthful appearance, while also asserting how her dietary approach fostered a healthier lifestyle for her as opposed to her non-vegan peers. Another friend of the deceased alleged that for the past seven years, Samsonova would only eat durian and jackfruit, adding, “You don’t need to be a doctor to understand where this will lead.”
Vera Samsonova, the decedent’s mother, believes a “cholera-like infection” (an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water) may have exacerbated the situation that led to her daughter’s untimely passing.
Samsonova’s family is awaiting a medical report and a death certificate from Malaysia that will determine her official cause of death.
Gregory Hoyt is a former contributor to outlets such as Law Enforcement Today and Red Voice Media, and current host of The Breakdown with Greg Hoyt. Based out of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Hoyt is a staunch and outspoken advocate of law enforcement and first responders, while also harboring the unique experience of having spent nearly 5 years in prison. Since then, he's used his unique perspective to offer support and commentary about the criminal justice system. When not working or combating bad ideas, Hoyt also leisurely studies economics, history, and law.