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Rocket Stickney, the former US Navy SEAL best known for his relationship with controversial OnlyFans star Paris Ow-Yang, has died.
Stickney passed away last week, with a number of tributes posted to his private Instagram account first bringing news of his death to light.
The 30-year-old dated Ow-Yang, then aged 19, in late 2024, with the pair first pictured together in December that year.
He was previously charged with sexual intercourse without consent, but the charge was withdrawn before trial.
Stickney's death was confirmed to the Daily Mail by his former girlfriend Amira Ross, who dated him for two years before his relationship with Ow-Yang.
'He was a beautiful person who I shared two years of happiness with. We lived together and I stood by him through his legal battles,' she said.
Rocket Stickney (left), the former US Navy SEAL who was best known for his relationship with OnlyFans star Paris Ow-Yang (right), has died
The 30-year-old had dated OnlyFans model Paris Ow-Yang, then aged 19, in late 2024, with the pair first pictured together in December that year (above)
Ross said Stickney struggled with his mental health prior to his death.
'Unfortunately, he was such a beautiful soul that felt everything so deeply and his mental health suffered immensely in the aftermath of the allegations made against him. His father, mother and sister are devastated, as am I.'
She added that he would 'always be remembered as a gentle and loving man who would do anything for his friends and family'.
His most recent partner, American woman Marguerite Gellart, also posted a heartfelt tribute beneath Stickney's final Instagram photo, which showed him on the beach with a dog.
Gellart described Stickney as her 'forever' and said he had always wanted nothing more than a simple life surrounded by family.
'This was never supposed to be your story, my sweet bunny,' she wrote.
'All you wanted in the world was a normal life, to be a husband and to have a family. You were a little puppy in a world of wolves. Life was not fair to you and you deserved the whole world.'
She said his death had left her with an unbearable sense of loss, especially because of how deeply he cared for those around him.
Stickney (centre) is pictured with American singer Post Malone (right) and a friend (left)
'Every day without you is unbearable, and knowing I lost my forever is a feeling I know you never meant to leave anyone with.
'You cared the absolute most for everyone you met. You had the biggest heart. You truly did everything out of love.'
Gellart concluded by reflecting on their relationship, writing: 'I could not be more gifted to have been loved so hard by you and have had the gift of loving you as much as I did. You're my forever and will always be my little puppy.'
Another of Stickney's friends, Jordan Simi, told Daily Mail:
'Rocket was a great man, he was amazing at bringing people together and being there for people. He always looked after others and made sure no one needed for much.
'As men, we all have silent battles and unfortunately he was going through his.
'I learnt a lot from him. I will hold our short but deep friendship close to my heart forever. He leaves behind a beautiful family that I will keep in contact for years to come.'
Stickney, who was known as a 'big name in Bondi', made headlines when he began a relationship with Ow-Yang, who became a millionaire on OnlyFans while still a teenager.
They were first photographed together on December 7, 2024, walking through Bondi with Ow-Yang's father, the prominent Sydney neurosurgeon Michael Ow-Yang.
Their relationship began months after Ow-Yang ended her controversial romance with nightclub owner Julian Tobias, who was 44 when they started dating and she was 17.
Stickney played a supportive role in Ow-Yang's life as she navigated legal troubles.
When Ow-Yang appeared at Waverley Local Court in December 2024 over domestic violence charges following a drunken incident at her mother's Double Bay home, her solicitor Michael Bowe described Stickney as a 'stable influence'.
Stickney's death was confirmed to Daily Mail by his former girlfriend Amira Ross, who dated him for two years before his relationship with Ow-Yang. (The former couple are pictured)
'I've spoken to him on the phone and he seems like a pretty good bloke,' Mr Bowe told the court.
But the relationship was short-lived.
In February 2025, the Daily Mail reported that Ow-Yang and Stickney had split just months after they first went public as a couple.
At the time, Ow-Yang's solicitor said she had a new boyfriend who was providing support as she attempted to get her life back on track.
Separately, Stickney had been facing a serious sexual assault charge following an alleged incident in Sydney.
He had been accused of having sexual intercourse without consent with a woman in Glebe in June 2023.
Stickney pleaded not guilty and was due to face trial in February 2025, but the charge was withdrawn by the Crown in November 2024.
The details of the allegation were not made public.
Stickney was thrust into the Australian spotlight through his relationship with Paris Ow-Yang, who became a millionaire on OnlyFans while still a teenager
While the case was before the courts, Stickney was subject to strict bail conditions, including surrendering his US passport and being banned from leaving Australia.
He was also the subject of an interim apprehended violence order protecting the alleged victim.
That matter continued separately after the criminal charge was withdrawn.
In March 2025, a police application to have the apprehended violence order made permanent was withdrawn.
Stickney had maintained his innocence throughout the criminal proceedings.
English (US) ·