Elena died at a hospital in Genoa, the city where she lived with her mum, Andreea, dad, Paolo Delle Piane, brothers, Daniele and Luca, and her youngest sibling Vittoria.
Most people with the condition have problems including seizures, intellectual disability and ataxia - a neurological condition that causes a lack of muscle coordination, and for Elena it meant she struggled to grow.
On Friday, February 7, Elena’s mum Andreea, updated her online followers on her situation as she spent time in hospital.
Due to complications caused by the disease, many of her organs did not function properly, and she died in hospital surrounded by her family at the end of her life.
Elena was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called NUBPL mitochondrial disease in 2016.
