Model Sahara Ray's Final Years Marked by Mental Health Struggles Before Suspected Overdose Death

Swimwear designer Sahara Ray struggled with her mental health in the years leading up to her death from a suspected overdose, according to a close friend. Ray died on Sunday at the age of 34.

"Sahara had been struggling with her mental health in recent years, and it was heartbreaking to witness someone we loved so deeply experience so much pain," said Jessica Serfaty, a friend who met Ray in 2015. Serfaty noted that Ray had been "beginning an entirely new chapter of her life" after welcoming a baby girl just 11 months prior to her death.

Serfaty described Ray's life as holding "extraordinary beauty and profound pain at the same time." She added that even during difficult moments, Ray had a close circle of support. "Her mother, Gretchen, who is truly an earth angel, and I came together on several occasions to figure out how best to support Sahara," Serfaty said. "There were times when we gathered the people closest to her, trying to create a circle of love, stability, and support around her when we felt she needed it most."

Serfaty emphasized that despite the efforts of loved ones, there wasn't an easy solution to Ray's struggles. "But I hope Sahara always knew how deeply she was loved," Serfaty stated. "There were so many people who cared for her, who showed up for her, and who wanted nothing more than to see her happy and at peace."

She further explained that Ray's story highlights the profound loneliness an individual can experience, even when surrounded by others. "You can have family, friends, a room full of people who adore you, even thousands or millions of strangers following your life and celebrating your beauty, and still feel completely alone," Serfaty said, referencing Ray's nearly one million Instagram followers.

Serfaty urged for compassion and gentleness, suggesting people check on those who appear to be thriving, as they might be the ones in greatest need of support. "Because sometimes those are the very people who need our tenderness the most," she said.

Ray, who previously dated Justin Bieber, Mod Sun, and Cody Simpson, is remembered by Serfaty as someone full of "laughter, adventure, mischief, tenderness, and magic." She recalled Ray's love for animals and nature, her generosity, and her ability to make life feel "a little less ordinary."

"I hope people remember the girl dancing on the beach, the fairy wandering through the redwoods, the friend who always made room for one more person at her table," Serfaty said. "Above all, I hope they remember that she was a human being before she was ever a face on a screen or a story in a headline."

Ray's family confirmed her death, stating she "passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved." A source close to Ray told the Daily Mail that she died after suffering an apparent fentanyl overdose. Her official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Ray welcomed her daughter, Snow, in January with Michael Bradley Dow. She was the daughter of legendary surfer Tony Ray and real estate agent Gretchen Gia Bach.