Porn star Jay Hefner was shot dead while protecting his cousin in what his family described as a “senseless act of gun violence.”
Hefner, whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins, had traveled from his home in Ontario, Canada, to Nebraska to celebrate a loved one’s birthday.
While defending his cousin from violence, the 24-year-old was reportedly shot on a street in downtown Lincoln around 1:30 a.m.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Hopkins died of his injuries in hospital at around 5:40 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Hefner, whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins, had traveled from his home in Ontario, Canada, to Nebraska to celebrate a loved one’s birthday
Hopkins’ girlfriend Madi Murchison paid a moving tribute on Sunday, revealing she “immediately broke down” when his mother called to tell him the tragic news
Hopkins’ girlfriend Madi Murchison paid a moving tribute on Sunday, revealing that she “immediately broke down” when his mother called to tell him the tragic news.
“I’ve never felt this kind of pain before and I don’t know how to get through it,” she said.
Murchison said Hopkins was her “safe place” and that she “showed me a love that I had never experienced before.”
“This hurts, my heart is completely broken… you made sure to express your love every day.”
A GoFundMe was created for Hopkins’ grieving family, including his 10-month-old daughter and terminally ill mother.
The fundraiser’s organizer, Kyra Miller, is a friend of Hopkins’ mother, Jeni.
Hopkins recently completed a course to become a ‘veneer tech’, in addition to his work in adult films
She said: ‘It is never easy to lose a loved one, but losing a child is the most painful loss you can experience.
My dear friend Jeni Brown lost her son to senseless gun violence while trying to protect her nephew from physical violence.
‘Saiveon was a shining light that was there for all who loved him.’
Miller said Hopkins not only cared for his daughter, who “adored him,” but also helped Jeni, who is terminally ill, care for his siblings.
‘Given the financial strain the family was already feeling due to Jeni’s medical care and unexpected passing, I would like to raise funds to help relieve their financial burden during this already devastating time.
“Funerals can be expensive and we want to honor Saiveon in the way he deserves.”
In addition to his work in the adult film industry, Hopkins recently completed training as a veneer tech and worked as a model for Fashion Nova.