AN INTERNATIONAL catwalk model has been found dead at her Costa del Sol home at the age of 21.
Touching tributes have been flooding in for Cristina Perez Galcenco, the daughter of a Spanish football star, after her tragic passing was announced.
Cristina was found dead in Caleta de Velez, near Malaga, on Tuesday.
The Lanzarote-born beauty had done catwalk modelling around the world in cities including London, Madrid, Milan and Paris before her tragic passing.
She was widely regarded as one of the most promising models out of Europe after starting her career at the age of 14.
Well-placed sources said her death isn’t being treated as suspicious.
As well as participating in events like Madrid Fashion Week, she also took part in ad campaigns for companies like Stradivarius.
Cristina also helped to present new fashion collections for the likes of Versace and Louis Vuitton.
Her body is expected to be transferred to Asturias in northern Spain where she grew up.
Her funeral will take place in the next few days.
Cristina was the daughter of Nacho Pérez – a top Spanish goalkeeper from the 1970s.
He was most well known for his stint in the First Division with Sporting de Gijón.
Photographer Xana de Jesus said in an emotional tribute: “I have no words for this sad news, except to tell her parents Tatiana Galcenco and Nacho Perez and her family that a star shines eternally in our hearts and that I offer my deepest condolences in such a time of grief.
“I will never forget your words, Cris. You were and always will be a role model and an example to follow, both in your modelling career and as a person.
“I was very fortunate to have known you and worked with you. How unfair life is.”
Another heartbroken friend added: “Cristina is an angel and always was.”
Cristina said in a recent interview: “My job is to be the image of what a brand wants to represent to the public, whether through catwalks or advertising campaigns.
“I always say that the most satisfying thing about this profession is the number of people, cultures and mentalities you get to know.
“They are so different from your comfort zone that you have no choice but to grow and adapt to them; on the other hand, I feel that this comes with loneliness, which is the worst part of this job.
“It is a fact that, being constantly on the move, no one in your close circle can keep up with you, so learning to get along with yourself is one of the most important things.”
She went on to admit her immaturity when she started modelling had been an obstacle in confronting some of the difficulties associated with the job.
She was doing a course in Malaga around the time of her death.
