Sarah Hyland begs fans to pay for cousin's funeral

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https://www.news.com.au/entertainmen...d324aae09cb2a0

Modern Family star Sarah Hyland has copped a social media battering in the wake of her young cousin’s death, with some questioning why the wealthy TV star is using her Instagram and Twitter accounts to solicit donations from members of the public.

Hyland’s 14-year-old cousin Trevor was killed in an alleged drink driving accident over the weekend, a car crash that left her uncle seriously injured in hospital and requiring further surgery.

Trevor’s sister Tessa has set up a GoFundMe fundraising page with a goal of $US25,000 ($A34,000) — a goal that has already been exceeded, with more than $US30,000 ($A41,000) in funds raised in just one day.

According to the page, which is raising money for funeral costs and medical expenses, the father and son were “driving to a show choir event and were involved in a serious car accident”.

“Please DONATE,” Hyland begged her 1.55 million Twitter followers with a link to the fundraising page.

Hyland reportedly receives over $US100,000 ($A136,000) per episode for her starring role as Haley Dunphy on hit sitcom Modern Family, which has run for more than 200 episodes now.

It’s estimated that her time on the show has seen the actor amass a $US9 million ($A12 million) fortune.

Her Modern Family co-stars Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould — both estimated to have amassed similar fortunes to Hyland — also shared the fundraising link to their social media accounts, asking their combined millions of fans to donate.

Donation records on the GoFundMe page show that the two highest donations so far have come from Winter (who gave $2500) and from Hyland herself (who donated $1000).

Hyland hit back as speculation grew about her involvement in the fundraising campaign, writing: “You don’t know all the details. And how dare you attack when a beautiful life has been lost.”

Sarah Hyland takes social media break after receiving "horrible, negative" comments after over her 14-year-old cousin's death

The Modern Family star tweeted that her announcing that her 14-year-old cousin was killed by a drunk driver has been met with a slew of online hate. "You guys finally did it, she tweeted. "Your horrible negative ignorant words have broken me. Happy? Staying offline for a while. I have a special announcement and video releasing on Wednesday I believe. So. There’s that.”