The world of reality television is proving very small this morning following a triple homicide that claimed America’s Next Top Model contestant Mirjana Puhar . The lead detective on the case, Det. Norma McKee, was on reality TV herself: A&E’s The First 48 , TMZ reported.
Back in 2011, Det. McKee appeared on the show to investigate a double murder — and she ended up finding the perpetrator. She’s been on the police force in Charlotte, North Carolina — where Puhar was found shot dead with two others Tuesday night – since 1991, according to A&E .
Condolences for Mirjana have poured in from across the world of reality TV, starting with supermodel and America’s Next Top Model host Tyra Banks . She and fellow executive producer Ken Mok released a joint statement following Puhar’s death, Hollywood Life reported.
“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.”
Banks isn’t the only person offering words of mourning for Puhar. Fellow ANTM contestants and others have reached out across social media.
Voice of an angel. Everyone share. Spread love not hate. #mirjanasdream #antmfamily #antm #mirjana … https://t.co/lW9j7pxiad
— Will Jardell (@williamjardell) February 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/Isabel_5SOS/status/570738141780271105
https://twitter.com/thnksfrthrynrss/status/570706920329363456
Before she appeared on ANTM , Mirjana Puhar gave an interview to the local newspaper, the Charlotte Observer . In its, she gave a bit of insight into her personal life.
Born in Serbia, a 5-year-old Mirjana and her family left the country after the Kosovo War and came to the U.S.; her parents had $50 in their pockets at the time. They first settled in New York City and finally in North Carolina. Puhar, who’d been modeling since age 12, described herself as a “wild child” to the newspaper. She was a high school dropout but earned her GED before ANTM .
Mirjana also hinted at a rather troubled youth.
“I don’t want people dabbling in my personal life, and I’m pretty sure they’re gonna do that after seeing the (ANTM),” Puhar said. “Once you watch the show, and you see what they get into, and what I speak about… then I’m pretty sure they’re gonna try to get into (my past).”
The suspect in Puhar’s death — and the killing of Jonathan Cosme Alvarado and Jusmar Isiah Gonzaga-Garcia — has been arrested. The triple homicide occurred at Alvarado’s home; he was Mirjana’s boyfriend. Emmanuel Jesus Rangel is now in custody, and investigators think Puhar’s shooting death was drug-related.
[Photo Courtesy Mirjana Puhar’s Twitter]