Porn star Jay Hefner was shot dead while protecting his cousin in what has been described by his devastated family as a ‘senseless act of gun violence.’
Hefner, whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins, had traveled to Nebraska from his home in Ontario Canada to celebrate a loved one’s birthday.
While defending his cousin from violence, the 24-year-old was reportedly gunned down on the street in downtown Lincoln about 1.30am.
Despite first responders’ best efforts, Hopkins died in hospital from his injuries about 5.40am Sunday morning.
Hopkins’ girlfriend Madi Murchison shared a moving tribute on Sunday revealing she ‘instantly broke down’ when his mother called to share the tragic news.
‘I’ve never felt this type of hurt and idk (I don’t know) how to get through it,’ she said.
Murchison said Hopkins was her ‘safe place’ who ‘showed me love I’ve never experienced.’
‘This one hurts, my heart is completely broken…Â you made sure to vocalize your love every single day.’
A GoFundMe has been established for Hopkins’ grieving family – including his 10-month-old daughter and terminally ill mom.
The fundraiser’s organiser Kyra Miller is a friend of Hopkins’ mom, Jeni.
She said: ‘It’s never easy to lose a loved one but losing a child is the most painful loss one can ever experience.
‘My close friend Jeni Brown, lost her son due to a senseless act of gun violence while trying to protect his cousin from physical violence.
‘Saiveon was a shining light that was there for everyone who loved him.’
Miller said in addition to caring for his daughter, who ‘adored him’, Hopkins also helped Jeni, who is terminally ill, care for his siblings.
‘Due to the financial strain already placed on the family for Jeni’s medical care and the unexpected passing, I am wanting to help raise funds to relieve them of the financial burden during an already devastating time.
‘Funerals can be costly and we would like to honor Saiveon in a way that he deserves.’
In addition to his work in the adult film industry, Hopkins recently completed a course to become a ‘veneer tech’, and worked as a model for Fashion Nova.