Shirley Raines, 58, was found unresponsive at her Henderson home on Jan. 27 after a welfare check. A police report noted a single white pill by her pillow; Raines's daughter thinks it was her daily Prozac, though the Clark County Coroner's Office has not yet determined an official cause or manner of death. Family members say investigators appear to be leaning toward natural causes. Raines founded Beauty 2 The Streetz, which served people on Skid Row and built a social following of more than 6 million.
Shirley Raines, 58, Found Dead at Home; Daughter Says Single Pill Likely Her Prozac as Coroner Investigation Continues
Shirley RainesLev Radin/Shutterstock
Shirley Raines, the 58-year-old founder of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz, was found dead in her Henderson, Nevada, home on Jan. 27 after police responded to a welfare check requested by her youngest daughter, Rashawn Williams.
What Happened
Officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) discovered Raines unresponsive on the floor beside her bed. A public police report obtained by PEOPLE notes a "single white pill of some sort" on the pillow next to her; the report also indicated she was taking a medication but the name was redacted in the publicly released file.
Shirley RainesVivien Killilea/Getty
Family Response
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Raines's daughter Danielle Williams said she believes the pill was likely her mother's daily Prozac, an antidepressant "which she was super public about." Danielle added that she could not be certain but would be "absolutely shocked" if it were another drug.
The Clark County Coroner's Office told PEOPLE on Feb. 2 that an official cause and manner of death remain pending. Danielle said the family believes investigators appear to be "leaning toward natural causes" as they await final findings. LVMPD declined to comment about whether an active investigation is ongoing.
Shirley RainesRobin L Marshall/Getty for Allure
Timeline And Context
Family members described efforts that led to the welfare check: Rashawn reportedly called her mother repeatedly on Jan. 27, and after receiving no response she waited outside the home and even tried to get her mother's attention by throwing rocks at a window. When that failed, Rashawn called police; according to the LVMPD report, officers forced entry into the residence. The police report also notes that Raines's son last spoke with her on Jan. 23.
Legacy And Tributes
Raines founded Beauty 2 The Streetz to provide food, makeovers and other support to people living on Skid Row, a 50-block area in downtown Los Angeles with one of the nation's largest homeless populations. The organization has a combined Instagram and TikTok audience of more than 6 million and was widely known for footage of Raines delivering aid and offering makeovers to women in the community.
Shirley RainesLeon Bennett/Getty
"One of the things I wanted to do was change the face of homelessness... Just because they're without a home does not mean they're without love," Raines told PEOPLE in 2020.
Beauty 2 The Streetz announced Raines's death, praising her "tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment" and called the loss devastating to the team and the communities they served. Public figures including TikTok creator Keith Lee and musician Lizzo posted tributes recognizing Raines's impact.
Funeral Plans
Raines's family has said they will hold a private funeral and a public day of service later this month to honor her life and the work of Beauty 2 The Streetz.
Note: Authorities continue to investigate and have not released an official cause or manner of death.
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