Mystery as influencer, 39, found dead with gunshot wound to her head as family say she 'feared for her life' | The Sun
A BEAUTY influencer was found dead in her bedroom in South Africa with a gunshot wound to her head, police said.
Maja Janeska, 39, died at the plush home she shared with cigarette tycoon Kyle Phillips in Johannesburg under what her family have described as "mysterious circumstances".
Officers were called to the luxury Bassonia Estate home on December 2 where Maja, who had 1.2million followers on social media, was pronounced dead.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said: "Upon arrival at the address given, police found a woman in the bedroom with a gunshot wound on the head.
"There was a firearm next to her. The woman was certified dead by the paramedics."
Cops said Maja's death is not being treated as suspicious – but her family said she "sometimes feared for her life" and pals claimed she wasn't suicidal.
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And her boyfriend Kyle said he is hiring his own pathologist to carry out an autopsy.
He told the cops he was brushing his teeth in the bathroom when he heard a gunshot from their bedroom, News24 reports.
Kyle's ex-wife, Tracy, said he would "cooperate with the investigation".
A relative said Maja's family were in "absolute shock".
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"Our phones haven't stopped ringing – this is all new to us," they told News24.
"We are in Europe, and our hands are tied because we can't come to South Africa because of visa issues.
"She is lying there in some mortuary, and we don't have any clue as to what is actually happening."
They added: "She sometimes feared for her life. Her boyfriend had men working for him, and she feared them also.
"We are heartbroken, and we seriously don't know what to do."
According to the relative, Maja's family learnt of her death through one of Kyle's former associates, who called to tell them her body had been found.
They said Kyle appeared "distraught" when he spoke to them about Maja's death.
Janeska's close friend, Iva Ristic, said: "I spoke to her on Thursday, and she wasn't suicidal. She was not that kind of person.
"She had just got back from a diplomatic trip in Macedonia.
"She was such a beautiful woman, full of life, very talented and ambitious.
"She loved life, and I fail to understand why someone would harm her in any way."
In a speech to university students just nine days before her death, Maja described how she had moved to Tanzania at the age of 19 and started working in a hotel.
She learned Swahili and launched her successful career as a make-up artist and stylist.
The influencer urged her young audience not to give up on their dreams.
"You can have good and bad moments in life, but you are the one who can and should make changes," she said.
"Desire is one thing, confidence is another. Believe in yourself, because that's the only way you will succeed."
In her final Instagram post on November 22, Maja was pictured with North Macedonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osman.
She said the meeting was aimed at establishing diplomatic relations between "my country, Republic of North Macedonia, and my second home, the Republic of South Africa".
"The journey of joining the two countries and nations together was my mission as a patriot and the love for both countries and nations is what got me to initiate it," she wrote.
"This relationship has brought amazing opportunities for business, education, tourism and exchange of cultural experiences…
"My heart is full of love and appreciation for both countries."
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Her relationship with Kyle – the co-director of Adriano Mazzotti's cigarette company Carnilinx – was described by pals as "on and off".
The investigation into her death is ongoing.
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