THE heartbroken brother of tragic porn star August Ames has said online bullies cost his baby sister her life.

August - real name Mercedes Grabowski - was found dead in Camarillo, California, on December 5 from a suspected suicide just hours after she was bombarded with abuse online.

12 James Grabowski pictured with his beloved sister August - real name Mercedes Credit: Facebook

The 23-year-old's older brother James, still in shock over the news, told Sun Online he blamed bullies for his sister's death.

"I want my sister's death to be recognised as a serious issue - bullying is not OK," he said.

"It cost me my baby sister's life.

"I will do what I can be a voice for Mercedes but right now my family and I need to be left alone to grieve - we have lost a loved one."

August, who has appeared in more than 270 adult movies, was attacked online after voicing her concerns about working with an actor who had also starred in gay porn.

She had earlier used social media to warn fellow female porn stars about working with men who have been in gay adult movies.

12 August - real name Mercedes Grabowski - was found dead in Camarillo, California Credit: Alamy

12 August had recently posted a touching picture of herself and her brother James as babies on Facebook Credit: Facebook

12 James, who had a close relationship with his younger sister, has vowed to be her "voice" Credit: Facebook

August tweeted on December 3: "Whichever (lady) performer is replacing me tomorrow for @EroticaXNew , you’re shooting with a guy who has shot gay porn, just to let cha know.

"Do agents really not care about who they're representing? I do my homework for my body."

She tweeted later the same day after a backlash: "NOT homophobic. Most girls don’t shoot with guys who have shot gay porn, for safety."

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She later added that she "loved the gay community" and that "none of her intentions were malicious".

But she was still bombarded with abuse and was found dead just a few hours after her last tweet.

Ventura Medical Examiner later confirmed that the star died of asphyxiation due to hanging.

12 The pretty model had starred in more than 270 flicks Credit: @msmaplefever : Instagram

August's grieving brother James, who lives in Canada, said he was struggling to deal with the news of his sister's death.

He said he was also was upset after a tribute he posted on his private Facebook page was reposted on the internet.

"I didn't want people switching my words around - it was supposed to be a private post," he said.

"I just need to be alone and have some time to deal with this."

12 Ames was originally from Canada and started working in the industry four years ago Credit: @msmaplefever : Instagram

12 Tragic August with her husband Kevin Moore, who has asked for privacy Credit: Getty - Contributor

August's friends say that she was suffering from depression and online bullying in the days before her death, reported Hollywood Life.

Her husband and director Kevin Moore said: “She was the kindest person I ever knew and she meant the world to me.

"Please leave this as a private family matter in this difficult time.”

12 Director Stills by Alan tweeted: 'You leave many in this world with a heavy heart and you left us far too soon.' Credit: @msmaplefever : Instagram

The adult industry was in shock as several industry members took to Twitter.

Performer Abella Danger said: "She was the most kind-hearted person ever."

Producer/director Jules Jordan tweeted: "Rest In Peace to August Ames, one of the best, nicest people I ever knew in the business."

12 Ames has won several accolades in the adult entertainment industry in a short space of time Credit: @msmaplefever : Instagram

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Performer Kissa Sins tweeted: "You were always there for me when I was feeling sad or sensitive and I’ll always love you. I’m sorry I didn’t do more to help. RIP Auggie."

The adult actress, originally from Nova Scotia in Canada, started working in the business three years ago and had won two Adult Video News (AVN) awards.

Her death is still being investigated, but law enforcement said there was no indication of foul play, according to US media reports.