“Forever young”: Shock death of Aussie actress
The family of Perth-based rising star Sariah Saibu, who appeared in an award-winning film in 2021, have confirmed her tragic passing on January 30.
Although they did not reveal the cause of death, Sariah’s aunt Cassandra Colvin wrote on Facebook: "A devastating post. This morning we lost our darling Sa Riah.
“I am struggling to find the words to express the grief that I and her family are feeling at this time, and I know her loss will be felt by many.
“Jenny Saibu and Zakhir Saibu - I send you all my love and strength. A shout out to the beautiful Sariah friends who have already reached out to me and Sariah's family - your words, and the deep love you clearly have for Sariah, provided comfort - I send my love back to you as you all make sense of this tragedy.
I have attached a photo shared with me this morning by Jim Bob. It was taken of Sariah about 6 years ago down South and captures her beauty and light. May her radiant soul continue to shine. RIP beautiful - all our love always.”
Sariah starred in the 2021 coming-of-age, LGBTQI+ movie Beautiful They, which was screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and earned the Australian Director's Guild's Best Direction of a Short Film award as well as being nominated for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts's (AACTA) Best Short Form Drama award.
It was also named the Best Film at Queer Screen Mardi Gras last year, while winning the City Of Melbourne's Best Australian Short Film.
An outpouring of grief has flooded social media with family and friends paying tribute to the “bubbly” and “kind” actress, with a crowdfunding page set up to help with funeral expenses.
“Forever young, forever loved,” one person wrote. “A very special soul with a razor-sharp wit. May you rest easy now sweet girl,” wrote another.
The GoFundMe page describes Saibu as a “gem of our hearts”.
“Sariah made everlasting impressions on her community, which has been felt and greatly appreciated by her family and closest friends.”
Images: Facebook / GoFundMe / Padlet