Famed for TV shows such as Australia's Next Top Model, Dawson had also been an anti-bullying activist and was targeted by cyber-trolls for personal attacks online.
The New Zealand-born star, who had a history with depression, was found dead in her Sydney apartment yesterday morning. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
In 2012, she was admitted to a Sydney hospital after a suicide attempt following an ongoing tirade of abuse on Twitter.
Dawson had long graced the pages of women's gossip magazines and scenes in reality TV shows.