Nancy Motes dead at 37: Julia Roberts' youngest sister found dead of apparent drug overdose

Nancy Motes, the half-sister of actress Julia Roberts, has been found dead of an apparent drug overdose.

Motes, 37, was the youngest sister of Oscar winning actress Julia Roberts and actor Eric Roberts. She was the daughter of the actress' mother Betty Lou and stepfather Michael Motes. 

The family confirmed Motes' death in a statement released today: "It is with deep sadness that the family of Nancy Motes ... confirms that she was found dead in Los Angeles yesterday of an apparent drug overdose. There is no official report from the Coroner's office yet. The family is both shocked and devastated."

Last year, Motes talked to The Sun about her weight issues. "When you're in a family of very, very exceptionally beautiful people it's intimidating. I think that growing up as Pretty Woman's little sister has definitely made me try to see the person inside and not the person outside. A lot of my life I felt judged for my weight," she told the paper.

Motes had also revealed that she planned to marry her boyfriend John Dilbeck in May.

The tragic news comes just one week after the sudden death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who also died of a heroin overdose.

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."