Inside the final days of PR guru and 2000s ‘It boy’ Jai Evans before he died in his swanky high-rise apartment – as a friend reveals his worrying words the last time they saw him
As I delve deeper into this heart-wrenching story of Jai Evans, a man who seemed to have touched countless lives with his vibrant energy and unparalleled PR prowess, I find myself awestruck by the sheer magnitude of his achievements. His two decades in the public relations industry, working with some of Australia’s most influential media giants, is nothing short of inspiring.
Sydney publicist Jai Evans found himself under immense pressure at work, confessing to a friend that he needed an evening out with a drink, weeks prior to his unfortunate passing in his city apartment.
43-year-old Evans, who once mingled with celebrities like Lara Worthington when he worked as a PR at lively parties in the 2000s, tragically passed away this week in his apartment located within the towering Horizon complex in Darlinghurst.
No cause of death was revealed, but the PR industry was abuzz with rumours on Friday that his body may have been lying in the unit for days before its discovery. Police silenced the speculation by confirming in a statement he died on Wednesday.
Last night, a source informed Daily Mail Australia that Evans might be facing professional stress due to the loss of several clients and potentially experiencing some financial difficulties.
Before his passing, he found himself in a tight spot regarding a significant client, needing to meet their demands. He was often operating under stress, according to the source, who had last met with Evans personally at a dinner in Potts Point, Sydney, on August 22.
At the dinner, Evans mentioned that he felt like he needed a beverage, even though he had just discussed his sobriety.
According to the source, he mentioned to some friends that he had a pending court case causing him anxiety, but the specifics of the legal issue are still undisclosed.
With over two decades of public relations expertise behind him, it seems that Evans has recently been losing some clients. A source revealed that he doesn’t appear to be securing new clients; instead, he’s primarily focusing on his current ones.
Evans resided in a luxurious apartment within the prestigious Horizon building, an expense that raised suspicions about potential financial difficulties he might have been facing.
In one of his final public relations roles, he assisted the stars of Married at First Sight, Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis, in formally introducing their real-life romance to the public following their pairing with different individuals on the Channel Nine dating program.
Daily Mail Australia understands his partnership with James and Ellis did not last.
As Evans’ demise approached, people close to him started to grow concerned that the lively socialite might disappear for extended periods of several days.
‘He was quite sociable, but he had a tendency to become less accessible, even hiding his Instagram posts when things got tough for him.’
One insider fondly remembered Evans for his ‘gift of the gab’ and said he was always the man to ask if you needed to talk your way out of a situation.
‘It’s such sad news that he’s gone,’ they added.
There seems to be uncertainty regarding whether Evans was on drugs when he passed away. Yet, it’s worth noting that he had a reputation for using ‘dexies,’ which are stimulant medications commonly prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). At social gatherings, he would occasionally share these pills as if they were Tic Tacs.
Evans made his latest public outing at the mentioned Potts Points dinner on August 22, where he joined a number of prominent ‘Married at First Sight’ participants.
Following the announcement of his death on a Friday afternoon, speculation started spreading regarding the time and duration of Evans’ demise before his body was discovered.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to clarify an interesting piece of news that’s been circulating. Initially, it was reported that someone passed away last Sunday, but they weren’t discovered until Thursday. However, upon further investigation, The Daily Telegraph revealed that the individual was actually found deceased on Saturday. This just goes to show how important it is to verify information and stay updated with the latest reports.
However, when the Daily Mail Australia sought comment, a representative from NSW Police verified that Wednesday was the day Evans passed away.
They mentioned that police officers from the Kings Cross area will compile a report detailing the events surrounding the death of a 43-year-old man, which occurred at a residence in Darlinghurst on the 4th of September, 2024, for the Coroner’s review.
‘Police will not be making any further comment about the matter.’
The manner of his death remains unclear, as there appeared to be no signs of anything untoward or suspicious at the scene where he was found.
When the police declare a death as non-suspicious, it signifies that their investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting no external party played a role and no illegal act took place.
On Friday, Dan Wootton, a fitness entrepreneur from Bondi, took to social media to share a touching tribute confirming the sad news about Evans’ passing.
As a devoted admirer, I pen these heartfelt words: Farewell, Jai Evans. Another radiant soul snatched away prematurely from us all, far before his time. Alongside an image capturing the essence of joy he always embodied, this is my tribute to him.
‘Your vibrant energy and eagerness to help was second to none. Rest easy, Jai. Love you, mate.’
Apart from posting a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, DJ Shiralee Coleman additionally shared a current photo of them both on her Instagram Stories.
In a heartfelt message, the model and musician wrote, ‘May you find eternal rest, dearest one. I imagine you are setting an example up there in the skies.’
She mentioned that her DJ performance at the popular hangout Nobu on Friday night would be a tribute to Evans, noting: “I’m aware of how much he cherished our Nobu evenings.”
Evans boasted over two decades worth of expertise in the public relations field, collaborating with numerous media entities to shape their PR tactics effectively.
During the course of his illustrious profession, he established his own company, Evans Media, back in 2005. Since then, he has served various roles including advertising manager, PR specialist, magazine publisher, and editor.
Evans assisted several significant figures in the Australian media sector, such as Channel Nine, Sky News, News Limited, BRW, and Vogue, in reaching their marketing objectives.
Additionally, the skill specialist was well-connected, boasting a variety of renowned acquaintances such as model Lara Worthington and Anastasia Fai Kogan, a prominent figure in e-commerce.
He also briefly had an acting career, appearing on Home and Away in 1997.
fellow PR professional Roxy Jacenko, who became well-known in Sydney’s public relations world around the same time as Evans twenty years ago, commended him for being an exceptional ‘connector’ or ‘relationship builder’.
‘He was like me, one of a new wave of PRs,’ she told The Daily Telegraph.
‘He often brought the most attractive group of women to social gatherings, and he was always open to new experiences.’
Interestingly enough, I was recently made aware that my friendship with Jacenko had been called into question by a friend of mine, who reached out to Daily Mail Australia upon reading her quotes in The Telegraph. It seems we may have been misunderstood in our relationship.
‘He’d be rolling in his grave to see that,’ they said. ‘He didn’t like her [Jacenko] at all.’
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2024-09-06 15:49