The sister of Alexis Sharkey, the influencer who was found dead Saturday, has opened up about how she wants her sibling to be remembered.
Sharkey, 26, who was living with her husband Tom Sharkey in Houston, Texas, went missing Friday evening. Her body was discovered on Saturday, with her family confirming her death in a statement Sunday.
On Thursday, Sharkey’s younger sister Tobi Robinault spoke to ABC13 about her sibling, where she revealed that her sister would have preferred to be referred to as a businesswoman.
Explaining that she “hated” the word influencer, Robinault told the outlet: “She wasn't an 'influencer.' She was a businesswoman. Honestly, I know it's the way she's being spoken about ... that she was an 'influencer,' but I feel like she would have honestly hated that title so much. She wasn't trying to influence anything.
“She was a smart, savvy, successful businesswoman. That's how I want everyone to remember her."
Robinault reflected on Sharkey’s intellect and personality as well, telling ABC13: “She was so fantastic. She had a way of lighting up the room when she smiled and laughed. She had a way of making everyone feel included” and that she was “so smart”.
During the conversation, Robinault also revealed that she is still in denial, but believes that foul play was involved in her sister’s death.
“I know she's gone but it hasn't fully set in yet. A lot of anger that someone took her from us so soon,” she said. “I have this terrible feeling that it was foul play.
“It hurts me so much. She was such a fun, happy person. Who had so much anger in them that they could do this to her?"
While a cause of death is still currently unknown, as final reports from Sharkey’s autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences are still pending, Robinault said that the family is focused on fighting for justice for the 26-year-old.
“Until we know the cause of death ... all we can say is that we demand justice because there are just too many unknowns,” she said.
Sharkey’s body was found on the side of a Houston street with no visible wounds, according to authorities. As of now, foul play has not been ruled out in the investigation into her death, KPRC reports.
Robinault’s statements follow a similar one shared by her mother Stacey Robinault, who previously told KPRC that she believes the circumstances of her daughter’s death are “absolutely foul play”.
“There is nothing to me that suggests that this was an accident. And there's nothing to me that suggests anything else, other than that this was done to her,” she said.
