A CLACTON woman is in mourning after the death of her daughter, Cathriona White – the ex-girlfriend of Hollywood actor Jim Carrey.

The 30-year-old make-up artist’s bodywas found in a house in California on Monday. Her death is being investigated as possible suicide.

Ms White’s mother, Brigid Sweetman, lives in Clacton.

A statement on behalf of Ms White’s family said: “The family of Cathriona White sincerely regret the untimely passing of their beloved daughter and sister.

“Cathriona was a shining light in our lives who was loved deeply by her entire family.

“We will miss her terribly and at this difficult time we ask to be left in private to mourn our loss.”

Mrs Sweetman’s husband, Brian, added: “My wife is devastated and struggling to grieve and come to terms with it.

“She will be leaving to be with family in Ireland.”

Ms White trained as a beauty therapist in Ireland before moving to the US in the hope of building a career in the Hollywood movie business.

Carrey, 53, and Ms White had dated for a while in 2012 and were pictured hand in hand in New York earlier this year.

In Carrey’s statement, he said Ms White was a “kind and delicate Irish flower, too sensitive for this soil.”.

He added: “My heart goes out to her family and friends and to everyone who loved and cared about her.

“We have all been hit with a lightning bolt.”

Ms White was originally from the village of Cappawhite in Co Tipperary, Ireland.

She moved to Los Angeles in 2009 and took roles as an extra on a television show before working behind the scenes.

Ms White had an older sister Lisa and an older brother James, who was a lance corporal in the Parachute Regiment and was honoured by the Queen for his bravery in Afghanistan.

He joined the British Army in 2005 and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in three serious incidents including dodging heavy machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades to clear out enemy positions and relieve colleagues and on another occasion for evacuating injured soldiers.