Sahara Ray, Model and New Mother, Dies at 34; Cause Unconfirmed
Australian model and swimwear designer Sahara Ray has died at 34, her family confirmed to TMZ on Monday 19 October 2026. The family said she passed away the previous night surrounded by family at a hospital, but did not disclose a cause of death.
Ray had given birth to her daughter Snow in January 2026. In April 2024 she revealed a Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosis that left her partially paralysed and unable to walk for a period.
Family confirms death, cause undisclosed
TMZ reported that Ray’s family confirmed her death on 19 October, saying she died the previous night. The outlet stated plainly that her cause of death has not been confirmed, and the Hindustan Times likewise reported the cause as undisclosed.
Ray was the daughter of Australian surfing legend Tony Ray, and spent her childhood between Australia, California and Hawaii. She was photographed on holiday in Hawaii with Justin Bieber in 2016, and later launched her own swimwear label, Sahara Ray Swim.
She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved,
Family of Sahara Ray, statement to TMZ
New motherhood and health struggles
Ray’s daughter Snow was born in January 2026. Her pre-birth social post read ‘Wish me luck. I get induced today at 8 p.m.’, and her final post in July read ‘My whole heart baby Snow.’, the Hindustan Times reported.
In April 2024, Ray publicly revealed her Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosis, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. She described being paralysed from the tops of her upper thighs to her feet and unable to walk, including time in a wheelchair.
Right now I’m paralyzed from the tops of my upper thighs all the way down to my feet. I can’t walk at all.
Sahara Ray, TikTok, via Page Six
Tributes
Her mother Gretchen Bach told the Daily Mail that Ray was an incredibly passionate and kind young woman who loved her family, fashion, her daughter Snow, and surfing. Friend Becky Hearn paid tribute, calling her a pure one with a very big heart.
Ray’s last public appearance was in November 2023 at the Ashton Michael anniversary show in Los Angeles, Page Six reported.
Sahara was an incredibly passionate and kind young woman who loved her family, fashion, her daughter Snow, and surfing.
Gretchen Bach, mother, to the Daily Mail
✓ Verified
Sahara Ray, 34, died; her family confirmed the death to TMZ on 19 October 2026, saying she passed away the previous night at a hospital (TMZ). The family did not disclose a cause of death. Ray gave birth to daughter Snow in January 2026 (Hindustan Times). She revealed a Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosis in April 2024 (Hindustan Times, Page Six, TMZ). She was photographed with Justin Bieber in Hawaii in 2016 and founded Sahara Ray Swim (TMZ).
⚠ Still needs confirmation
Page Six, citing the Daily Mail and a source it did not name, reported that Ray overdosed on fentanyl, was taken to a Los Angeles hospital, placed on life support, and later removed from it at her family’s decision. That account has not been officially confirmed, and Page Six said it remains unclear whether the reported overdose was accidental or deliberate. Separately, Page Six and TMZ link her Guillain-Barre paralysis to a serious car accident, a detail the Hindustan Times does not mention.
Editor’s note: Cause of death has not been officially confirmed. This article reports what outlets have confirmed and clearly labels what remains reported but unverified.
