‘She was a true love of mine’

Mod Sun has paid tribute to his late ex-girlfriend Sahara Ray following the model and swimwear designer’s death at the age of 34, remembering her as “pure magic” and “a true love of mine”.

The musician, whose real name is Derek Ryan Smith, shared an emotional Instagram Reel on Wednesday, October 21, featuring a video of Ray interacting with a monarch butterfly. In the clip, the butterfly lands on her hand as she gently moves it towards her nose and back to her fingers.

“This is who Sahara was in this world,” Mod Sun wrote alongside the video. “Pure magic. She could turn any moment into art. She walked into a room + all the sudden it was vibrant.”

The singer, known for songs including Flames, also reflected on the special connection he shared with Ray, revealing that they had the same birthday. He said the coincidence made him feel as though they were “sharing the same soul somehow”.

Mod Sun described Ray as “everyone’s muse” and said he had always called her the “ETERNAL IT GIRL”. Reflecting on their relationship, he added: “When I was with her it was the most free I ever felt. She was my inspiration before, during, + long after we dated. She was a true love of mine.”

He continued by describing Ray as someone who saw life differently, adding that he believed she was “just too special for this world”.

“Everyone knew she was a magical fairy,” he wrote, ending his tribute by saying he would always love her and asking her to “save a spot for me in the forest”.

Ray and Mod Sun dated in 2023, following his split from Avril Lavigne. Although their relationship ended, his tribute made clear that she continued to hold a special place in his life.

Ray died on October 18 in Los Angeles, her family confirmed. She was 34. In a statement shared with TMZ, her family said she had passed away at a hospital surrounded by loved ones. Her official cause of death has not been confirmed.

The model had welcomed her daughter, Snow, in January, sharing glimpses of her early months as a mother on social media. Her death came less than a year after the birth of her first child.

Ray was also known for her work as a model and for founding her swimwear brand, Sahara Ray Swim, in 2014. She previously attracted public attention through reported links to Justin Bieber and Cody Simpson.

In the days following her death, Ray’s family and friends have shared tributes celebrating her personality, creativity and the impact she had on those around her. Her younger sister, Ruby Ray, remembered her as a vibrant and loving person, while her mother, Gretchen Gia Bach, has also shared her grief online.

As tributes continue to emerge, Mod Sun’s message offers a deeply personal look at the bond he shared with Ray and the lasting influence she had on his life.