Sara Burack, a prominent real estate agent featured on the Netflix reality series Million Dollar Beach House, was reported to be "homeless by choice" and suffering from mental health issues during the days leading up to her death in a hit-and-run incident earlier this month, a source with knowledge of the situation told the New York Post.

Mike White, a builder from Southhampton who was Burack's former boyfriend and remained a close friend, described her as "a really hard worker and a good person," but added that she was a "workaholic times 10," which led her on a dangerous path despite her success.

“She kept taking Adderall to stay awake and keep working. She was trying to work longer and longer staying up for all types of hours," White told the New York Post.

Burack was found unconscious on Montauk Highway near Villa Paul restaurant in Hampton Bays by police at around 2:45 a.m. local time on June 19. Amanda Kempton, 32, was later charged with leaving the fatal scene, a class D felony carrying a potential four-year prison sentence if convicted, before pleading not guilty and being released on $100,000 bail, according to the Southhampton Town Police Department.

White, who was by Burack's side in the hospital at the time of her death, said she was likely looking for somewhere to stay when the fatal incident took place.

“She was staying in bank foyers,” said White, who confirmed that Burack had sold her car and condo last year.

“She wasn’t driving anymore. She didn’t lose her apartment, she sold it. She didn’t have financial problems at all,” he said. “She just didn’t want to deal with anything anymore.”

White added that Burack's family "never gave up" on her despite her declining mental state.

“Her mom was going to get her an apartment— she didn’t want it. She said it was bugged by the US government,” White said. “Her poor mother did everything. Her mom and her dad are the nicest parents in the world.”

Burack's family, however, issued a statement denying White's claims to the New York Post.

“People say all kinds of things when someone dies. However, the fact remains that our daughter, Sara, was run over and left for dead by a 32-year-old woman who claims she thought she hit a cone. Our family is in deep mourning and we will not comment further as we try to digest the loss of our beloved daughter who was a loving sister and friend to many," the family said.

Burack appeared on Million Dollar Beach House, which features prominent real estate agents competing against each other.

“The competition is fierce — and the drama undeniable — as a group of young and hungry agents try to seal the deal on luxury listings in the Hamptons,” the show’s description on Netflix’s website states.

Burack had previously worked for Nest Seekers International, a real estate agency that sold upscale properties in Manhattan and the Hamptons before leaving just over a year ago, according to Hamptons regional manager Geoff Gifkins, who said that she stayed in touch.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends,” Gifkins said in a message via Newsday. “Please be kind and respectful as this is a tremendous loss to her parents and close friends.”

Community