Jessica Stein: Unexpected twist in ‘missing’ Instagram model saga

Trailblazing Instagram model Jessica Stein mysteriously vanished from social media in January last year, leaving her millions of followers fearing for her well-being.

But it seems a simple clue in her Instagram bio could provide the answer to the globetrotting blogger’s whereabouts.

Before her disappearance, the travel and fashion influencer, 38, had been keeping fans updated on her three-year-old daughter Rumi’s battle with a chromosome disorder, and it seems this could be the reason for her decision to leave Instagram. 

The little girl was diagnosed with Mosaic Trisomy 2, with Maternal Uni Parental Disomy 2 – an extremely rare disorder which has been diagnosed just 10 times. 

Jessica’s Instagram bio states: ‘Wanderer in a past life. Mum to the strongest, happiest human.’

Her choice of words suggests she’s given up her past life of documenting her travels, and is now focusing solely on caring for her daughter. 

In October 2017, Jessica and her partner Patrick launched a GoFundMe page titled ‘Our Little Warrior Rumi’ to raise money for Rumi’s medical treatments.  

The page, which has since been disabled, described the extensive care that was needed for their daughter as a result of her condition, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical equipment such as ‘gastrostomy tubing’, special food and supplements. 

The fundraiser received $235,804 in donations.

Jessica, who goes by the online pseudonym Tuula Vintage, was once known for uploading idyllic photos of herself exploring the world in designer clothing.

She used to work with major international brands, and is widely regarded as one of the first influencers to make a living from sponsored posts.

So when Jessica suddenly stopped posting in January last year, her fans were understandably concerned and looking for answers. 

Since her departure from Instagram, Jessica’s last post has been flooded with comments from followers begging to know if she and her family are okay. 

‘How is your daughter going? I noticed you haven’t posted anything on Instagram in a long time and I hope she and you are doing well,’ one wrote.

‘Everything okay?’ another asked.  

After Jessica and Patrick welcomed Rumi w in 2017, fans began noticing the once-prolific social media user was posting less frequently.

Jessica last posted about Rumi in July 2019, when she uploaded photos of the pair cuddling on the couch at a luxury hotel in Shoal Bay, New South Wales.

‘This year has been a blur. One of our biggest hopes for 2019 was to spend as much time at home as possible, but we’ve somehow spent nearly five months of it living in hospital,’ she wrote. 

Jessica then spent another five months off social media, before returning on January 5, 2020, to share an impassioned post about the Australian bushfires. 

She has not posted on social media since.

Jessica suffered a rocky pregnancy due to complications from an injury she received after being hit by a car as a teenager.

Announcing her pregnancy on Instagram at seven months, Jessica revealed: ‘I experienced multiple pelvic and internal injuries after being hit by a car at 16 with ongoing pain and limitations, and was warned of what might never come to be.’ 

‘I’ve always wanted to adopt (as my incredible mum was) and my partner and I had been talking about it again just before this unexpected miracle happened,’ she added.

Jessica also revealed she’d suffered serious complications at 20 weeks when her water broke early as a result of her bladder injury from the crash.  

‘I don’t know the words to describe how hopeless I felt… not being able to control my own body, provide for my baby or see hope that we would make it through,’ she wrote.

Jessica added that while her partner was a ‘rock of support and positivity’, she had found the last few months the ‘loneliest’ of her life.