Bryana Holly is mourning the tragic death of her close friend Sahara Ray.
“There’s nobody like you. No soul more radiant, no mind more beautiful, no heart more loving. How lucky am I to have spent so many years with you in my life. I am forever grateful the universe allowed us to cross paths. I will never forget the warmth, light, & love you shared with me,” Holly, 33, began in a Tuesday, October 20, Instagram comment.
Her online tribute was shared two days after Sahara, a model and the daughter of Australian pro surfer Tony Ray, died at the age of 34. No official cause of death has been publicly confirmed.
Holly, a fellow model and the wife of actor Nicholas Hoult, continued, “I’ve replayed all the old voice notes you sent. I’ve been reading the old letters you gave me. I can still hear you laughing next to me. I can still feel you holding my hand. We would sing and dance and take long drives down the coast.”
The friends had shared a years-long friendship, with Sahara even sharing a series of topless photos of their pair together via Instagram in 2017.
“We would sing and dance and take long drives down the coast,” Holly continued. “Stay up all night in your apartment talking and laughing and when I was crying, you would scratch my back until I fell asleep. I will cherish these memories for as long as I live.”
Bryana Holly Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Tori Praver
Holly concluded her message by declaring her eternal love for Sahara. “Many years ago you wrote me, ‘I will always be with you. Forever.’ You will. I carry your heart in my heart, I do,” she penned. “I love you so much.”
Sahara’s family confirmed her death in a statement shared with TMZ on Monday, October 19. “She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital,” the statement read. “She was so loved.”
Us has reached out to Sahara’s team for comment.
Sahara, an Australian native who grew up in California, rose to fame through modeling. After building a large social media profile, she launched a swimwear line called Sahara Ray Swim.
Sahara Ray Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for REVOLVE
The model also attracted public attention in 2016 after spending time with Justin Bieber. At the time, the pair were photographed vacationing together in Hawaii. Sahara was also reportedly linked to singer and future Traitors star Cody Simpson.
Sahara is survived by her daughter, Snow, 9 months, whom she shared with a 38-year-old man whose identity has never been publicly confirmed.
