High-profile Australian PR guru Jai Evans has died at the age of 43.
He was found dead at his luxury apartment in The Horizon complex in Darlinghurst, inner Sydney, although there are conflicting reports of when exactly he died and for how long his body lay undiscovered.
A friend told Daily Mail Australia he died last Sunday but was not found until Thursday. Other reports indicate he was found dead on Saturday. Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment and clarification.
His cause of death is unknown, but The Daily Telegraph is reporting police said there were ‘no apparent suspicious circumstances’.
When police say a death is not suspicious, this means they have found evidence that indicates there was no third party involved and no crime was committed.
Bondi fitness entrepreneur Dan Wootton confirmed news of Evans’ death on Friday in a statement on social media.
‘RIP, Jai Evans. Another beautiful friend taken much too soon before his time,’ Dan wrote, alongside a photo of Evans in happier times.
‘Your vibrant energy and eagerness to help was second to none. Rest easy, Jai. Love you, mate.’
High-profile Australian PR guru Jai Evans has died at the age of 43. He was found dead on Saturday at his apartment in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Pictured with Lara Worthington in 2005
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 worked 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.
Fellow publicist Roxy Jacenko, who rose to fame in the Sydney PR scene alongside Evans two decades ago, praised him as a ‘real networker’.
‘He was like me, one of a new wave of PRs,’ she said. ‘He always had the best-looking bevy of girls to bring to events [and was] always up to try something different.’
His cause of death is unknown but police are not treating the matter as suspicious. A report is being prepared for the coroner. He is pictured with Anastasia Fai Kogan in April 2015
Earlier this year, he advised Pedestrian about some of the challenges the Married At First Sight cast might experience after being plunged into the spotlight.
‘Navigating the social media landscape can be particularly tricky for controversial MAFS figures,’ Evans said.
‘This is because brands and businesses can be hesitant to deal with someone who appears to have compromised credibility.’
If you or anyone you know is experiencing mental health issues contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
