Model Sahara Ray Dies at 34; Cause Undisclosed

Sahara Ray, the Australian-American model and Sahara Ray Swim founder, died at 34 on the night of Sunday, October 18, 2026, in a hospital. Her family told TMZ the next day she had been surrounded by family and was so loved. No cause of death was given. She induced labor in late January and welcomed daughter Snow on January 27, 2026; the child was about 9 months old at Ray's death. Her final Instagram post showed the baby under the caption "My whole heart." In 2024, after an April car collision she said involved an intoxicated driver, Ray disclosed Guillain-Barré syndrome, saying she was paralyzed from the tops of her upper thighs to her feet and used a wheelchair and walker. Outlets state it is not known whether that condition was tied to her death. Born in Torquay to big-wave surfer Tony Ray, she later worked in Los Angeles fashion. She drew wide notice after Hawaii photos with Justin Bieber in August 2016 and was also linked to Cody Simpson, Mod Sun, and Jordan Barrett.