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 on his private Instagram account first bringing news of his death to light.
The 30-year-old dated Ow-Yang, then 19, in late 2024, and the pair were first pictured together in December that year.
He was previously charged with sexual intercourse without consent, but the charges were dropped before the trial.
Stickney’s death was confirmed to the Daily Mail by his ex-girlfriend Amira Ross, who dated him for two years before his relationship with Ow-Yang.
‘He was a wonderful person with whom I shared two years of happiness. We lived together and I supported him in his legal battle,” she said.
Rocket Stickney (left), the former US Navy SEAL 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 before his death.
‘Unfortunately, he was such a beautiful soul who felt everything so deeply and his mental health suffered immensely in the aftermath of the allegations 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 Marguerite Gellart, also posted a heartfelt tribute under Stickney’s latest 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 should never have been your story, my sweet bunny,” she wrote.
“All you wanted in the world was a normal life, to be a husband and have a family. You were a little puppy in a world of wolves. Life wasn’t fair to you and you deserved the whole world.’
She said his death left her with an unbearable sense of loss, especially because of how much he cared for the people around him.
Stickney (center) is pictured with American singer Post Malone (right) and a friend (left)
“Every day without you is unbearable, and knowing that I have lost my life forever is a feeling I know you never meant to leave behind.
“You cared most about everyone you met. You had the biggest heart. You really did everything out of love.’
Gellart concluded with a reflection on their relationship, writing, “I couldn’t be more gifted because I loved you so much and had the gift of loving you as much as I do. You are forever my little puppy and always will be.”
Another friend of Stickney’s, Jordan Simi, told Daily Mail:
“Rocket was a great man, he was great at bringing people together and being there for people. He always took care of others and made sure no one needed much.
“As men we all have silent battles and unfortunately he experienced his.
‘I learned a lot from him. I will forever hold our short but deep friendship close to my heart. He leaves behind a beautiful family that I will stay in touch with for years to come.”
Stickney, who was known as a ‘big name in Bondi’, made headlines when he started one relationship with Ow-Yang, who became a millionaire as a teenager on OnlyFans.
They were first photographed together on December 7, 2024, walking around Bondi with Ow-Yang’s father, 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 supporting role in Ow-Yang’s life as she dealt with legal problems.
When Ow-Yang appeared at Waverley Local Court in December 2024 on domestic violence charges following a drunken incident at her mother’s home in Double Bay, her lawyer Michael Bowe described Stickney as a “stable influence”.
Stickney’s death was confirmed to Daily Mail by his ex-girlfriend Amira Ross, who dated him for two years before his relationship with Ow-Yang. (The former couple is in the photo)
“I spoke to him on the phone and he seems like a nice guy,” 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 attorney said she had a new boyfriend who provided support as she tried to get her life back on track.
In addition, Stickney faced a charge of aggravated sexual assault following an alleged incident in Sydney.
He was accused of having sexual intercourse without consent with a woman in Glebe in June 2023.
Stickney pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to stand trial in February 2025, but the charges were dropped by the Crown in November 2024.
The details of the accusation have not been made public.
Stickney was thrust into the Australian spotlight through his relationship with Paris Ow-Yang, who became a millionaire as a teenager on OnlyFans
While the case was in court, Stickney was subject to strict bail conditions, including surrendering his US passport and being banned from leaving Australia.
He was also the subject of a temporary apprehended violence order for the protection of the alleged victim.
That case continued separately after charges were dropped.
In March 2025, a request from the police to make the apprehended violence order permanent was withdrawn.
Stickney had maintained his innocence throughout the criminal proceedings.
