Somber Rosario Dawson emerges for the first time since 'finding cousin Vaneza, 26, dead in her LA home'

  • Rosario, 38, was seen in public for the first time on Wednesday following the death of her cousin 
  • The actress found Vaneza Ines Vazquez, 26, 'unresponsive' at her Venice Beach apartment last Thursday, May 11
  • Paramedics were unable to resuscitate Vaneza after transporting her to hospital
  • Autopsy results indicate Vaneza died from natural causes

By Rebecca Lawrence For Mailonline and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 15:53 EST, 17 May 2017 | Updated: 03:03 EST, 18 May 2017

Rosario Dawson made a somber appearance in Venice, California Wednesday.

It was the 38-year-old actress's first public outing since reportedly discovering her cousin Vaneza Ines Vazquez dead at her home in Los Angeles area on May 11.

The New York native wore a brave face while out, clearly still mourning over the death of her 26-year-old relative.

Brave face: Rosario Dawson stepped out for the first time since news of her cousin's tragic passing was reported this week

Brave face: Rosario Dawson stepped out for the first time since news of her cousin's tragic passing was reported this week

The Sin City beauty looked focused on the task at hand, keeping simple in denim overalls.

The talent was pared down to bare essentials, heading to meet her family with just a morning shake and backpack.

Rosario's traumatizing experience was reported via TMZ Tuesday.

Thursday, the actress discovered her cousin Vaneza unconscious downstairs in the star's Venice Beach apartment.

Mourning: It's reported that the 38-year-old star found her cousin unconscious in the actress's Venice home. After calling paramedics, they were unable to resuscitate the 26-year-old

It's reported that the 38-year-old star found her cousin unconscious in the actress's Venice home. After calling paramedics, they were unable to resuscitate the 26-year-old

Natural causes: Autopsy results indicate Vaneza (pictured above) died from natural causes, and sources claim she did not have any history of substance abuse

Natural causes: Autopsy results indicate Vaneza (pictured above) died from natural causes, and sources claim she did not have any history of substance abuse

The star is said to have immediately called paramedics, but the team tragically could not resuscitate Vaneza after transporting her to hospital. 

Rosario's cousin - who also worked for the starlet - had reportedly been suffering from migraines and also had hypertension.

The site reports that autopsy results indicate Vaneza died from natural causes, and sources claimed she did not have any history of substance abuse.  

Vaneza Ines Vazquez (pictured right with Rosario third from left) is the cousin of actress Rosario Dawson

Vaneza Ines Vazquez (pictured right with Rosario third from left) is the cousin of actress Rosario Dawson

Tragic: Rosario Dawson reportedly discovered her younger cousin Vaneza dead at her Los Angeles home last week and quickly rang the emergency services
Vaneza Ines Vazquez

Tragic: Rosario Dawson (left) reportedly discovered her younger cousin Vaneza (right) dead at her Los Angeles home last week and quickly rang the emergency services

Rosario Dawson is pictured arriving at the Cesar Chavez Los Angeles premiere in 2014. Vaneza (circled) attended with her

Rosario Dawson is pictured arriving at the Cesar Chavez Los Angeles premiere in 2014. Vaneza (circled) attended with her

Vaneza's mother Lisa Centeno paid tribute to her daughter on Facebook. She wrote: 'Vaneza, my sweet, sweet beautiful baby - your passing has left me destroyed forever but I know you are at peace in Paradise. I love you, my alpha child.' 

Friend Francisco Gomez added: 'It's still not registering that you're gone. The world has lost a truly beautiful person.

'Spread your wings wide & touch the stars. You will forever be missed.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Rosario's representatives for comment.

Vaneza's mother Lisa Centeno wrote: 'Vaneza, my sweet, sweet beautiful baby - your passing has left me destroyed forever but I know you are at peace in Paradise. I love you, my alpha child'

Vaneza's mother Lisa Centeno wrote: 'Vaneza, my sweet, sweet beautiful baby - your passing has left me destroyed forever but I know you are at peace in Paradise. I love you, my alpha child'

The site reports that autopsy results indicate Vaneza (pictured right) died from natural causes

The site reports that autopsy results indicate Vaneza (pictured right) died from natural causes

Rosario often speaks about the importance of having a close relationship with her family and was raised by her mother Isabel - having never met her biological father.

She previously spoke about her upbringing with The Guardian, revealing that her mother fell pregnant at 17, and only found out she was expecting when she was picked for the 1980 Olympic volleyball team and was made to take a test.

Whilst Rosario's father did not stay with her mother, she was later adopted by her mum's partner - who began dating Isabel when she was eight months pregnant. 

'I think about that now,' Rosario explained. 'Such a young man, marrying a woman with a baby who's not his – that just doesn't happen. He just loved my Mom, and he loved me, and I loved my Dad, you know?' 

Two of a kind: Rosario pictured with her mother Isabel, with whom she enjoys a close relationship

Two of a kind: Rosario pictured with her mother Isabel, with whom she enjoys a close relationship

Rosario Dawson often speaks about the importance of having a close relationship with her family. She is pictured with her brother Clay and her mother Isabel Celeste in 2015

Rosario Dawson often speaks about the importance of having a close relationship with her family. She is pictured with her brother Clay and her mother Isabel Celeste in 2015

Family first: Rosario often spoke about the importance of having a close relationship with her family and was raised by her mother Isabel - having never met her biological father

Family first: Rosario often spoke about the importance of having a close relationship with her family and was raised by her mother Isabel - having never met her biological father

Rosario was discovered at age 15 sitting on her stoop and asked to be in a film, Kids, which ultimately changed her life.

She has recently been juggling a 'complicated' work schedule that has stopped her appearing in upcoming Marvel series, The Punisher - despite playing Claire Temple in a number of Marvel shows. 

'At the end of the day, it's really hard to get all of those casts together. For The Defenders, it was difficult to get everybody together,' she told Collider. 

'People are busy! There are so many times where I really want it to happen. I really wanted to do a cameo on The Punisher, but it doesn't always work that way.' 

 

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