JUSTIN Bieber’s ex-girlfriend Sahara Ray died from a fentanyl overdose just months after becoming a mum, reports say.
The after reportedly taking the powerful opioid.
She was placed on life support before her family made the heartbreaking decision to switch it off on Sunday afternoon, a source told the Daily Mail .
Sahara died surrounded by her loved ones, although it is not yet known whether the reported overdose was accidental.
Her death comes just nine months after she proudly introduced her baby daughter Snow to the world in January.
The model’s grieving mum, Gretchen Bach, has since paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, remembering her as driven and committed.
She told the Daily Mail: “Sahara was incredibly passionate and kind young woman who loved her family, fashion, her daughter Snow, and surfing.
“We’re feeling the love that is pouring in from her cherished friends, fans and the many communities that she was part of around the world.”
Ray’s younger sister Ruby has also shared a heartbreaking tribute, admitting she is struggling to imagine life without her.
Sharing a series of childhood photos on Tuesday, Ruby described her sister as a “force of nature” whose death had left her world shattered.
She wrote: “My beautiful big sister, Sahara. The most vivacious, intelligent, hilarious, kind, empathetic and breathtakingly beautiful soul.
“Sahara has moved from this life into another, and I am left trying to comprehend how someone so full of life can no longer be here to live it.”
Ruby said she had idolised Sahara since childhood and was devastated at the thought of never seeing her again.
She added: “From the moment I entered this world, I looked up to her. In my eyes, she was everything extraordinary about being human.”
“I just want my big sister. I want more time. More laughter. More conversations. More of her.
“God, grief hurts. It is the most excruciating, all-consuming pain I have ever been doused in.
“If love alone could have kept you here, Sahara, you would have lived a thousand lifetimes. I will spend the rest of mine loving you.”
Sahara had shared glimpses of her new life as a mother with her thousands of followers, posting adorable pictures of Snow shortly after her birth.
Her final Instagram update in July featured a series of touching snaps of the youngster, alongside the caption: “My whole heart, baby Snow.”
She never publicly identified the father of her daughter.
Born to legendary Australian big-wave surfer Tony Ray, the blonde beauty first shot to fame in 2016 after being romantically linked to pop superstar .
Their rumoured romance made headlines when the pair were photographed skinny-dipping together during a getaway.
She was previously romantically linked to Aussie singer .
But Sahara soon carved out her own name in the fashion industry, building a successful modelling career and launching her own label, Sahara Ray swim.
After leaving for , she studied at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising before establishing herself as a social media personality.
She became known for her daring Instagram photoshoots, often posing in revealing designs from her own collection, and joined subscription platform in 2020.
Sahara also struck up a relationship with British model and socialite .
Behind her glamorous online image, however, the star had spoken openly about her struggles with addiction and a series of serious problems.
In December 2021, she revealed she had entered a 30-day rehabilitation programme in Malibu to seek treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and her mental health.
Speaking candidly to followers from the facility, she said: “Hey, guys, I just wanted to update you and the journey that I’m on right now.
“I just checked into a mental health, wellness, drug and alcohol addiction treatment center retreat. It’s really beautiful. It’s in Malibu.”
She explained that she planned to document her recovery, including the more vulnerable moments, in a video.
“I’m really excited to share my story with you guys. I’ll be here for 30 days. This is day one,” she said.
Sahara faced another devastating setback in 2024 when she revealed she had been left struggling to walk after developing a rare neurological condition.
The model said she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes the body’s immune system to attack its nerves, following a terrifying road accident.
She claimed a drunk driver travelling at 80mph struck her on April 8, leaving her body in shock.
Sahara subsequently became seriously ill, struggling to eat for almost two weeks before experiencing numbness and tingling in her feet.
The symptoms gradually spread up her legs, prompting an emergency hospital visit.
She later revealed she had lost feeling from her upper thighs to her feet and was forced to rely on a wheelchair and walking frame.
“This has been really hard to deal with and I’ve been trying to keep a good attitude and be hopeful that my feeling comes back,” she told followers.
Despite the ordeal, Sahara appeared to make a remarkable recovery, later returning to modelling and regularly sharing photoshoots on social media.
The star had previously raised concerns about her wellbeing in June 2020 after publishing an emotional Instagram post in which she claimed to have experienced predatory behaviour from men.
Sahara’s death comes just two months after Hollywood actress , 37, was found dead from an accidental drug overdose at an Airbnb in .
The , including anti-anxiety medication Xanax.
Her boyfriend Brian Hickerson desperately administered the overdose-reversing drug Narcan before emergency crews arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Like Sahara, Panettiere had previously spoken openly about her struggles with addiction and leaves behind a young daughter, Kaya, 11.
