PR guru Jai Evans, 43, was celebrated at an emotional ‘Celebration of Life’ service at Woronora Memorial Park in Sutherland on Wednesday, as friends and family gathered to pay their respects.
Evans, a prominent figure in Sydney’s PR and social scene during the early 2000s, was found dead earlier this month in his high-rise Darlinghurst apartment.
His sudden passing has left the entertainment and PR industries in shock, with friends recalling his vibrant, larger-than-life personality.
Among the mourners were Australian TV stars Axle Whitehead and Jodi Gordon, who joined family members in saying their final goodbyes to Evans.
The service was a blend of laughter, fond memories, and inevitable sadness, perfectly reflecting the colourful personality Evans brought to his work and friendships.
Attendees entered the chapel to Sarah McLachlan’s haunting In The Arms Of An Angel, setting the reflective tone.
Later, the mood lifted as Right Said Fred’s I’m Too Sexy brought a touch of fun that echoed Evans’ flair.
A touching slideshow of photographs from Evans’ life played to Mariah Carey’s One Sweet Day, highlighting special moments of his 43 years.
The life of beloved PR guru Jai Evans, 43, was celebrated at an emotional ‘Celebration of Life’ service at Woronora Memorial Park in Sutherland on Wednesday, as friends and family gathered to pay their respects
Evans, a prominent figure in Sydney ‘s PR and social scenes during the early 2000s, was found dead earlier this month in his high-rise Darlinghurst apartment
His family, including his mother Rana, sisters Kim and Tracey, and beloved nephews Sean, Jordan, Jett, and Finn, paid emotional tributes.
Rana spoke of Jai’s love for performing, while nephew Sean remembered his uncle as ‘the life and energy of the family,’ adding, ‘He could make you laugh, make you angry, happy, and love him all at the same time.’
Despite his vibrant social life, Evans had been facing professional and personal pressures in the months leading up to his death.
Among the mourners were Australian TV stars Axle Whitehead and Jodi Gordon , who joined family members in saying their final goodbyes to Evans
His sudden passing has left the entertainment and PR industries in shock, with friends recalling his vibrant, larger-than-life personality. Pictured: Jodi Gordon
A source close to him revealed to Daily Mail Australia that Evans had been struggling with losing clients, financial strain, and a pending legal issue.
Friends had noticed he had started to ‘fall off the radar’ for days at a time, making his Instagram private and disappearing from social circles.
His last public appearance was at a dinner in Potts Point on August 22, where he reportedly seemed overwhelmed, even admitting to needing a drink despite efforts to stay sober. Evans was also stressed about a court matter, though the nature of this remains unclear.
The service was a blend of laughter, fond memories, and inevitable sadness, perfectly reflecting the colourful personality Evans brought to his work and friendships
Attendees entered the chapel to Sarah McLachlan’s haunting In The Arms Of An Angel, setting the reflective tone
Later, the mood lifted as Right Said Fred’s I’m Too Sexy brought a touch of fun that echoed Evans’ flair for the unexpected
A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed Evans was found in his Darlinghurst apartment on September 4, 2024.
Although the exact cause of death is still unknown, police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances, leaving the final details to the Coroner’s report.
Evans’ storied career saw him rubbing shoulders with Australian A-listers, including Lara Worthington and the stars of Married At First Sight.
A touching slideshow of photographs from Evans’ life played to Mariah Carey’s One Sweet Day, highlighting special moments of his 43 years
His family, including his mother Rana, sisters Kim and Tracey, and beloved nephews Sean, Jordan, Jett, and Finn, paid emotional tributes
One of his final PR roles involved helping MAFS stars Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis with the public reveal of their relationship, although their working relationship had ended prior to his passing.
Despite the success and glamour, Evans’ final months appeared marked by mounting challenges.
Evans had more than two decades of experience and success in the public relations industry.
He founded his own business, Evans Media, in 2005, and worked with hundreds of media companies to help with their PR strategies.
Throughout his celebrated career, Jai held roles as an advertising manager, publicist, magazine publisher, editor and all-round public relations expert.
Evans helped many key players in Australian media, including Channel Nine, Sky News, News Limited, BRW and Vogue, achieve their marketing goals.
The talent expert also boasted a host of famous friends, including model Lara Worthington and e-commerce queen Anastasia Fai Kogan.
He also briefly had an acting career, appearing on Home and Away in 1997.
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