Ava Gillies was killed in the early hours of Wednesday, July 29, when a black Audi A4 crashed into her white Volkswagen Polo on the A170 near Wrelton at around 1:30 a.m. Emergency responders were unable to save her, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement released through police, Gillies' family described her as talented, accomplished, and deeply loved by those who knew her. "Ava, we will always, always miss you, your wit, your charm, your beauty, your feisty confidence, your many talents, and your excellence in your field: hair & makeup for film and TV," the family said.
The family reflected on the breadth of her life in under three decades. "In almost 27 years with us, you packed in so much, study, travel, and work. It was a privilege to have raised you and loved you. Our beautiful daughter, sister, and granddaughter, your loss is immeasurable," the family said.
They also highlighted her professional milestones, saying: "We are so proud of your hard work and success, your BAFTA Connect membership and the opportunities that brought your career path from talented artist to new designer.”
The family said they have been moved by the outpouring of support from beyond their immediate circle. "What's becoming clearer with every passing day is you were loved by so many people outside the family, your friends, and the community in which you were raised," the family said. They added: "We take great comfort from the comments, cards, and messages from people within the film industry and their expressions of love and respect for your talent.”
They also requested privacy, saying: "We would ask that members of the media refrain from contacting us directly.”
Funeral arrangements and details of a celebration of Gillies' life have not yet been finalized, as police said such plans "will be announced in due course" .