Mourning after the shock death of the young Australian actor

The sudden death of rising Australian acting talent Sariah Saibu has caused a wave of grief among friends and family.

The Perth actress died suddenly on January 30, devastated family members said on social media.

Saibu starred in an award-winning 2021 short film called Beautiful They, directed by Cloudy Rhodes.

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The short film, an LGBTQI+ coming-of-age story about two young surfers who fall in love, was filmed in Sydney and starred Morgan Davies.

The film screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York to critical acclaim.

When her aunt Cassandra Colvin announced Saibu’s death, she said the family struggled with their grief.

“This morning we lost our sweetheart Sariah,” Colvin wrote on Facebook.

“I struggle to find the words to express the sadness that I and her family are feeling at this time and I know many will feel their loss.

“RIP beautiful – all our love forever.”

As well as becoming a rising star on the Australian film scene, Saibu was also a talented dancer.

She appeared in music videos for San Cisco and Catlips and worked as a model.

Friends have paid tribute to the “bubbly” and “friendly” actress, who had friends and family in both Perth and Darwin.

“Forever young, forever loved,” one person wrote.

“A very special soul with a razor-sharp wit. May you rest now sweet girl,” wrote another.

A GoFundMe organized by friend Blue Brashaw described Saibu as a “gem in our hearts”.

“Sariah made a lasting impression on her community, which was felt and greatly appreciated by her family and close friends,” Brashaw wrote.

“Every princess deserves an extra, sassy and heartfelt celebration of life.

“We all understand that there are significant costs involved in such things.

“If you wish to continue to support Sariah’s family during this time and are financially able, please make a donation to this celebration of a lifetime.”

Brashaw added that the funds raised would be used to pay for a memorial service to be held in Fremantle on February 15 and to help the family travel to Darwin for a second memorial service in March.

“I only met Sariah once in Darwin. I have remembered her kindness and bubbly nature ever since,” one person wrote.

“A tragic loss, my condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.”

“Lots of love to Sariah’s nearest and dearest. A hilarious, sparkling, one-of-a-kind little demon. We will miss them all so much,” wrote another.

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