Julia Roberts is in mourning after her half-sister was found dead in Los Angeles from a suspected drug overdose.
Nancy Motes, 37, was found at a friend's home on Sunday afternoon, where she had been dog-sitting, Sky News reports.
Julia Roberts
The family released a statement to People magazine saying: "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."
Nancy was the youngest sibling of Julia and Eric Roberts, and Lisa Roberts Gillan.
LA County Coroner spokesman John Kades said prescription drugs had been found at the residence.
Julia was absent from the Oscar nominees luncheon hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Monday.
The 'Notting Hill' star, who first won an Academy Award, for 'Erin Brockovich' in 2000, is nominated for her role in 'August: Osage County', an adaptation of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play.