Shirley Raines was an American community activist whose impact within her community is beyond measure. In 2021, Rained was chosen to be the CNN Hero of the Year for her contributions to the homeless on Skid Row, amongst many other endeavors. She passed away on January 27, 2026. While she was discovered “unresponsive” in her home by police, the cause of her death was previously undisclosed.In the latest news, her daughter Danielle Williams shared an exclusive statement with People Magazine confirming that her mother’s cause of death was hypertensive heart disease. Further, the Clark County Coroner's Office also backed Williams’ statement and added that the manner of death was natural.For reference, as per The Cleveland Clinic, the disease:“Can cause problems because of long-term, unmanaged high blood pressure. The added strain on your heart from working harder could make your heart muscle thicken. It can also lead to heart failure."In the wake of her death, several prominent figures are speaking up for Shirley Raines, who became a source of inspiration to so many. Perez Hilton shared the following thoughts on his official blog:“Such a sad situation. The world is a little duller without Ms. Shirley in it. May she rest in peace”Shirley Raines: Beauty 2 The StreetzShirley Raines was the founder of Beauty 2 the Streetz, a nonprofit aimed at distributing resources to the homeless people who live on Skid Row. For reference, Skid Row is a downtown Los Angeles neighbourhood that has one of the largest homeless populations in the United States.As of this report, the organization has over 6 million followers across Instagram and TikTok. On top of offering the less fortunate with their basic needs, Raines also attempted to take her outreach even further by offering makeovers to women in the community. She believed that through Beauty 2 The Streetz, she could help change the public perception of homeless populations.Beauty 2 The Streetz honored their fearless founder in a statement shared on Instagram:“Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations.”It continued:“This loss is devastating to the entire Beauty 2 The Streetz team, the communities we serve, and the countless individuals whose lives were forever changed by Ms. Shirley’s love, generosity, and selfless service. Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched. We humbly ask that you keep Ms. Shirley’s family, loved ones, and the Beauty 2 The Streetz family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Further information will be shared as it becomes available.”It is clear that Shirley Raines will be missed, though the hope is that her work will continue to live on through the rest of her organization.