Her face is the mural you see in central Wollongong, her beauty catches your eye as you drive by. Now though, the artwork holds a sorrow. It's a symbol of a young life cut short without warning.
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Skylar Davies who had the world at her feet, died suddenly on Boxing Day.
The 19-year-old from Kanahooka was talking to her mum Leigh on the phone just moments before she collapsed in Shellharbour Square. Skylar was with a friend, having just finished her shift at Cotton On.
"There are no words to express our grief ," Skylar's dad Rob Davies told the Mercury. "Skylar went into cardiac arrest and she never regained consciousness despite the best efforts of paramedics and medical staff."
Mr Davies said Skylar was a kind soul who touched many with her beautiful nature and creative talent. "We really can't believe she is gone. Our hearts break more each day as the reality that Skylar isn't coming back sinks in. It's hard to believe that beautiful heart just stopped, when she still had so much life to live."
Skylar, completed her HSC at St Mary's Star of the Sea College, and had just finished her first year in a film and media degree at the prestigious Billie Blue College in Sydney.
"Her talent in film and media was undeniable as she was offered early entry in multiple University courses. She was excelling in her studies and we were blown away with her creativity," Mr Davies said. "As parents it was comforting to know she was doing something she loved and her future looked bright.
Teenagers everywhere have joined mourners on social media. Word spread quickly after singer Billie Eilish commented on Skylar's instagram account when she heard the devastating news. The pair had met at Eilish's concert in Sydney.
Mr Davies said the family had been overwhelmed by the love and support, including tributes from St Mary's. Skylar became one of the faces of the Wonderwall Festival through her family's association with friend and local artist Claire Foxton.
"Claire has become a friend that inspired Skylar artistically. She was an amazing role model and support for Skylar. The mural came about because Claire was given a brief for the location. It was a fashion theme and she felt Skylar was the perfect muse for this project.
"We were honoured."
