Sahara Ray, Justin Bieber’s Rumoured Ex-Girlfriend Dies At 34, Months After Becoming Mother; Cause Of Death Unconfirmed

Sahara Ray, the Australian model and swimwear designer, has died at age 34. Her family confirmed the news, saying she passed away at a hospital surrounded by loved ones. Ray had, in the past, made headlines after being photographed with Justin Bieber in Hawaii in 2016. She had built a career in modelling and launched her own swimwear label, Sahara Ray Swim. She had even spoken publicly about serious health challenges in recent years. She was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome after a car accident. She became a mother to daughter Snow in January 2026. Reports have suggested a suspected fentanyl overdose, but her official cause of death has not been confirmed.

Ray’s family confirmed her death in a statement to TMZ saying, “She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved.”

The model has been flooded with tributes, with many calling her a “passionate, kind and vibrant woman.” Many expressed their grief at her death. Ray was a loving mother, daughter, fashionista and surfer, her mother Gretchen Bach told the Daily Mail. “Sahara was an incredibly passionate and kind young woman who loved her family, fashion, her daughter Snow, and surfing,” Bach, a real estate agent, said. The family appreciates the love and support from Ray’s friends, fans and communities throughout the world, she added.

Ruby, her younger sister, also paid an emotional tribute on October 20, remembering Ray as a vivacious, intelligent, funny and empathetic person. I can’t understand how someone so full of life is not here anymore, she wrote.

Ray’s official cause of death has not been released. Her family confirmed the loss, but no official cause has been announced. Sources cited by several media outlets say she was allegedly taken to a hospital in Los Angeles on October 16 after a suspected fentanyl overdose. The reports state she was put on life support, and her family was said to have decided to take her off it before her death. Her family has not officially confirmed these details, and the circumstances surrounding the suspected overdose remain unclear. It is therefore too early to determine the cause or the circumstances of her death.

In 2024, Ray spoke about her struggle with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can lead to muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. The condition came about after a bad road crash where a driver was reportedly driving too fast and drinking alcohol, she said. Ray explained how the illness had affected her mobility, leaving her partially paralysed and unable to walk.

She also had previously spoken about checking into a treatment centre in Malibu in 2021 for help with mental health and addiction-related struggles.

Ray made international headlines in 2016 when photos of her vacationing with Justin Bieber in Hawaii surfaced. The images sparked speculation that the Australian model and the pop star were romantically linked, though neither ever publicly confirmed a relationship.

Ray also had a connection to Australian singer Cody Simpson. But through her work as a model, swimwear designer and social media personality, she created an identity that wasn’t just a side of celebrity headlines.

She launched her swimwear brand, Sahara Ray Swim, in 2014 and amassed a huge online following. She was also the daughter of Australian surfing figure Tony Ray, and split her childhood between Australia, California and Hawaii.

One of Ray’s most recent milestones was becoming a mother. She welcomed daughter Snow in January 2026, and later shared snaps of the baby with her followers. She introduced Snow to her social media followers in April, and later posted clicks on Instagram on July 19, with the caption, “My whole heart, baby Snow.”