McLeod's Daughters star Simmone Jade Mackinnon's niece shares heartbreaking tribute to her mother Kym following her tragic death

The niece of McLeod's Daughters star Simmone Jade Mackinnon has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her mother Kym after she was found dead at Tamborine Mountain. 

Queensland Police confirmed Kym's death on Tuesday, just one day after her TV star sister issued an emotional plea for information about her whereabouts. 

Later that night, Kym's daughter Rayne Johnsen uploaded a commemorative message for her late mother to Facebook.  

'To my dear mum, thank you for raising me, teaching me discipline & diligence, driving me to dancing Monday to Friday after school for 15 years, the endless weekend road trips to Byron to visit good old aunty Maggie,' she wrote.

'You taught me how to be an independent young lady and shaped me into the young woman I am today. You always believed in me and in every dream and ambition I had. 

'You made me believe that I could do anything, and you were always there cheering me on as I picked up yet another hobby or chased another dream.

'To the showgirl, the dancer, the star! You sure knew how to put on a show, both on stage and off. I love you. DANCE IN PEACE MUM.'

Alongside the heartbreaking caption, Rayne, 25, posted photos of herself with her mother. 

One saw the mother-daughter duo smiling as they struck a pose on a set of stairs outside a house, wearing matching khaki outfits.

Another image was a throwback to when Rayne was a young girl, sitting on a bridge and cuddling up to her mother. 

A former dancing student of Kym's also shared a tribute online. 

'Devastated doesn't begin to name how I feel hearing of the passing of my dear dance teacher, dance mentor & dear friend, Kymmy Mackinnon,' wrote Samantha Ross.

'When Kym arrived in the studio when I was an adolescent, I'll never forget the impact she had on all of us, she had this incredible ability to make so many of us feel truly so seen. She is iconic. 

'Always so humble, never wanting to be in the limelight, and never taking the credit she so deeply deserved.

'Kym was one of the first teachers to show me how to express my heart through movement. She taught me to feel, to move from somewhere deeper, and to find my own expression/style - which back then was next to none!

'I don't think she ever truly knew just how much we all loved & looked up to her.'

Samantha went on to say that Kym was 'happiest' with horses, 'and that was a love we shared together over the years'.  

'I'll always remember her light, I'll carry her memories with me. I'll still feel her in music. I'll hear her in those iconic tunes (if you know, you know). I'll see her in my horses.

'And I'll carry her memory with me, always. To Rayne Johnsen, Simmone Jade Mackinnon & family there are no words that can possibly express how deeply my heart is with you. Wrapping you all in my love. 

'We love you, Kymmy. Until we meet again… I'll meet you on the dance floor.'

It comes after the search for Kym, 51, ended in tragedy on Tuesday.

'Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the non-suspicious death of a woman at Tamborine Mountain. There is no further information at this time,' a police spokesperson said.

The tragic development came just hours after Simmone, 53, publicly appealed for help finding her missing sister.

The actress had shared a post on Instagram on Monday detailing Kym's disappearance and asking her followers to come forward with any information.

Kym was last seen on Guanaba Road at Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, although police had not initially disclosed how long she had been missing.

'Have you seen my sister?' Simmone captioned the post, urging the public to contact Policelink with any information.

'Please share this post ESPECIALLY if you are in Queensland,' she added.

When followers asked for more information in the comments, Simmone said she was unable to provide further details because of the ongoing police investigation.

'The police will release their official statement very soon. I don't want to release information before it's been triple-checked by them,' she wrote.

Her former McLeod's Daughters co-star Rodger Corser was among those who offered his support, writing: 'Dear Simmy, can only imagine how you're feeling right now. Let's get her found. Much love, Sharing now.'

Simmone replied: 'Thank you so much, buddy, we really appreciate it.'

Simmone is best known for playing Stevie Hall on McLeod's Daughters from 2003 until 2009.

The Gold Logie-nominated actress also appeared as Allie Reese on Baywatch Hawaii between 1999 and 2000.