EXCLUSIVE
The tragic and lonely death of prominent Sydney publicist Jai Evans came just a fortnight after he told friends he was feeling “sick” and his “body was shrinking” due to working 15-hour days.
Evans, 43, was found dead in his luxury 36th-floor apartment at the Harry Seidler-designed Horizon complex in Darlinghurst last Wednesday.
The exact cause of Evans’ death at his $1,400-a-week two-bedroom rental home remains a mystery, although a New South Wales Police spokesman said it was not believed to be suspicious.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal Evans, a prominent figure in the city’s entertainment industry since the early 2000s, appeared worried and concerned at a final dinner with friends on August 22.
That was about fifteen days before his death, and the last time his companions saw him.
Evans had an impressive façade sporting high-end designer items such as shoes, jackets, fur coats and sunglasses valued at over a million dollars.
“Jai always tried to dress his friends in his designer clothes, as if he was embarrassed to be seen in them if they looked like homeless people,” a close friend recalled.
“He was just that funny, always wanting everyone to look their best.”
But behind his seemingly opulent lifestyle lurked a lonely, stressed-out man struggling with professional pressures and personal problems.
Sydney publicist Jai Evans was a man known for his glamorous lifestyle, rubbing shoulders with celebrities such as Lara Worthington and living life in the fast lane. Pictured in his apartment in February 2023
However, that whirlwind existence came to a tragic and lonely end this week when Evans, 43, was discovered dead in his luxury high-rise apartment in Darlinghurst on September 4.
Evans, who had been a prominent figure in Sydney’s entertainment scene since the 2000s, was found in his luxurious $1400-a-week rental in the prestigious Horizon complex.
Evans, who had spoken of feeling under enormous pressure at work and in his personal life, had not been seen or heard from for days before his body was eventually discovered in the high-rise apartment, which boasts some of Sydney’s most stunning views.
The PR guru’s last meal
Sources close to Evans have revealed that he has lost several high-profile clients and has struggled to attract new business in recent months, causing financial strain.
Just two weeks before his death, Evans complained of being “always under pressure” with his clients.
She texted a friend: ‘I’ve been working 15 hours a day and my head is wrapped up in planning for so many clients and (New York) Fashion Week and I feel like my body is pulling the pin.
“I train every day and I’m on a diet, so I can feel bad.”
On August 22, Evans dined with friends in Potts Point.
During the meal, he mentioned that he “needed a drink” despite having committed to staying sober.
His friends noticed a marked change in his demeanor, describing him as distant and worried, and some speculated that he was battling personal demons.
“He was very stressed,” a close source revealed. “He told us he had a pending legal matter and was very worried about it, although he never went into much detail.”
Evans’ passing has left many in the public relations industry reeling.
It is believed her body may have been lying in the apartment for days before being discovered.
Evans’ (right) last public appearance was at a dinner in Potts Point, Sydney, on 22 August, which she attended with several MAFS contestants including Alyssa Barmonde, Al Perkins, Layton Mills and Selina Chhaur, all pictured.
A tragic ending
Evans’ storied career in public relations has seen him work with some of the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion industries.
However, in recent years, the demands of the industry seemed to take their toll.
Despite his years of experience and success, sources claim he is finding it increasingly difficult to land new clients and maintain his lavish lifestyle, leaving him under pressure to maintain his existing relationships.
Evans complained to close friends that he was unhappy because other publicists had been trying to “mow his lawn” and “steal his clients.”
Despite his years of experience and success, sources claim he is finding it increasingly difficult to land new clients and maintain his lavish lifestyle, forcing him to maintain his existing relationships. Pictured with Lara Worthington in 2005
Bondi fitness entrepreneur Dan Wootton confirmed the news of Evans’ death, while DJ Shiralee Coleman also took to Instagram to pay tribute (she appears with him in May 2023).
Friends and colleagues have expressed their shock and sadness at Evans’ passing, with many taking to social media to pay tribute to the man they described as a “PR legend” and “a true professional”.
Another wrote: “I’m devastated because he was such a great friend. I honestly thought he would be with us forever. I’m so sad but grateful that we shared so much laughter and so much love. Oh Jai, we miss you more than you could ever imagine.”
While the cause of Evans’ death remains unknown, those close to him are grappling with the heartbreaking reality that the man they admired for his energy and charisma had been suffering in silence.
“In the weeks leading up to his death he was distant,” said a friend. “He would disappear, which was not like him at all.”
For confidential crisis support, please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
Evans has more than two decades of experience in the PR industry. He founded his own company, Evans Media, in 2005, and has worked with hundreds of media companies to help them with their PR strategies. He is pictured here with events manager Lucia Labbate in May 2008.
