Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall, whose struggle with breast cancer was closely followed by Venezuelans, has died at age 28.Her family said Ekvall died on Saturday at a hospital in Houston.Ekvall was crowned Miss Venezuela at age 17 in 2000, and the following year she was third runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. She went on to work as a model, actor and television news anchor.She also wrote a book, \"Fuera de Foco\" (\"Out of Focus\"), about her struggle with cancer, which included images by photographer Roberto Mata.Ekvall\'s family said in a statement on Sunday that her remains were being cremated in Houston on Monday and that a service is to be held in Venezuela once her remains are returned to the country.She was married to radio producer John Fabio Bermudez and had a 2-year-old daughter.Her death brought an outpouring of condolences from Venezuelans, including from some prominent artists and politicians. Ekvall\'s husband posted a photo on Twitter on Sunday showing a close-up of his hand holding hers, resting on a hospital bed, with the words \"Always together ... I love you wife.\" Associated Press