Ryan Channing, Ian Thorpe’s ex-boyfriend, was mourned by family and friends at an intimate burial ceremony a month after he died in Bali from a suspected prescription medication overdose.
On May 6, the 32-year-old collapsed in a villa on the Indonesian holiday island while on vacation with his family.
He died two days later in the intensive care unit of the BIMC Hospital in Kuta.
His remains was returned to Perth ahead of a memorial service on Friday morning at the gorgeous Pinaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury, in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Earlier this week, the cosmetics entrepreneur’s brother Jake and mother Joy utilized social media to invite loved ones to the event.
‘We’d like to invite everyone who knew him to join us in celebrating his life.’ ‘Everyone who knew him or had heard of him through others,’ according to the message.
While many people attended the service to say their final goodbyes, his former Olympian ex-lover was nowhere to be seen.
His white casket, which was decked with a white and purple bouquet, arrived ahead of the service.
Following the funeral, a celebration of his life was held at the Joondalup members golf club in Connolly.
Ian Thorpe’s first long-term boyfriend after coming out was Channing.
The couple had been in an on-again, off-again romance for four years until splitting up in 2019.
Thorpe broke his silence two weeks after the awful tragedy.
‘This is a long-term relationship that I had, and I feel for Ryan’s family,’ the retired Olympian said to The Daily Telegraph.
‘I hope that others can also respect their privacy.’ When someone is so young, I believe it is awful for everyone to watch them die away at such a young age.’
While the cause of Channing’s death has not been determined, Indonesian police have stated that the 32-year-old died of an overdose of prescription medicine.
Channing’s mother Joy, who was beside his bedside during his final two days, posted a statement on social media just days after his death, thanking friends for their support.
‘Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love and support you’ve shown us during this difficult time,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘We’re still in Bali, but we’re hoping to return home (sic) soon.’
The Blaq Group, Channing’s skincare business, released a statement immediately after his death, stating that he had been battling health concerns.
Accepting Channing’s death, according to his sister Charis, was “the toughest thing” her family had ever had to do.
Channing’s death was not being treated as suspicious by Kuta police, and no complaint had been filed despite the fact that he died in hospital.
For work, the model traveled between Bali, Australia, and the United States, but he returned to Bali two weeks before his death to see his parents and sister.
His relatives had previously gathered at a Kuta restaurant for a makeshift monument.
In a memorial to her son, Mrs Channing remarked, “Ryan lived life to the fullest.”
‘I’m always surrounded by excitement and creativity, and I have an unquenchable desire to achieve perfection in whatever I do.’
It was a privilege for all of us to be a part of Ryan’s world and to be carried up in his experiences and accomplishments.
‘We’ll need some time to figure out how we’ll get through the remainder of our lives without his bodily presence’.
Mr. and Mrs. Channing were photographed with eight close friends at Mano Beach House for a meal to honor the 32-year-old.
One buddy commented on the post, ‘#ryanchanningmemorial.’
On the sands of Kuta Beach, a second memorial was organized, with lanterns lighted and friends holding a banner featuring Channing’s face.
The banner read, ‘We adore you – Ryan Matthew Channing.’
His shock death was announced on Instagram in early May by his younger brother Jake.
‘Seeing as the news headlines beat my whole family to posting about this unfortunate time in our lives, it’s with a heavy heart I announce that my brother Ryan has recently passed away on Sunday the 8th of May at 32 years of age,’ Jake wrote.
‘As we seek answers and try come to terms with the heartbreaking loss of my beautiful big brother, we ask for your prayers, support and privacy, he will be forever loved, never forgotten and forever young.
‘To my big brother, I love you, I’ll see you one day soon you’ll be missed more than you know.’