Entertainment · October 21, 2026
Mod Sun Mourns Ex-Girlfriend Sahara Ray
Musician Mod Sun (Derek Ryan Smith) shared an emotional tribute on Instagram to his former girlfriend, model Sahara Ray, following her death. In his post, Smith described Ray as his 'inspiration' and 'pure magic,' sharing a video of her interacting with a monarch butterfly. The tribute detailed their deep connection and shared travels, while multiple outlets acknowledged Ray's recent passing and their past romantic relationship.
Read the original coverage
- TMZTabloid
Mod Sun Mourns Ex-Girlfriend Sahara Ray
Read at TMZ ↗ - New York PostTabloid
Mod Sun remembers ‘special’ ex-girlfriend Sahara Ray in heartbreaking tribute: ‘A true love of mine’
Read at New York Post ↗ - E! NewsCelebrity
Mod Sun Mourns Death of "Magical" Ex Sahara Ray
Read at E! News ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Mod Sun posted an Instagram tribute to Sahara Ray on Wednesday.
- Sahara Ray is deceased.
- Mod Sun and Sahara Ray were previously in a romantic relationship.
- Mod Sun's real name is Derek Ryan Smith.
- The tribute included a video of Ray with a monarch butterfly.
- Mod Sun described Ray as 'pure magic' and his 'inspiration' in the post.
Reported by only some outlets
- Sahara Ray died three days prior to the October 21 post (E! News).
- Sahara Ray was 34 years old at the time of her death (E! News).
- Ray gave birth to a daughter named Snow in January (E! News).
- Mod Sun and Sahara Ray shared the same birthday (New York Post).
- The couple dated in 2023 following Mod Sun's split from Avril Lavigne (E! News).
- They traveled together to Hawaii, Minnesota, and Big Sur (E! News).
Confirmed
- Mod Sun posted an Instagram tribute to Sahara Ray on Wednesday.
- Sahara Ray is deceased.
- The two were former romantic partners.
- Mod Sun referred to Ray as 'pure magic' and a 'true love.'
- The tribute featured a video of Ray with a monarch butterfly.
Reported
- Sahara Ray died three days before the tribute was posted. (E! News)
- Sahara Ray was 34 years old. (E! News)
- Sahara Ray welcomed a baby girl in January. (E! News)
- Mod Sun and Sahara Ray shared the same birthday. (New York Post)
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