Ian Thorpe’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan Channing, is being commemorated by family and friends in an intimate funeral ceremony – more than a month after he died of a suspected overdose of prescription mediation in Bali.
The 32-year-old collapsed in a villa on the Indonesian holiday island May 6 during a holiday with family.
He died in intensive care two days later at the BIMC hospital in Kuta.
His body was repatriated back to the Netherlands Perth ahead of the memorial service at the picturesque Pinaroo Valley Memorial Park in Padbury, in the city’s northern suburbs, on Friday morning.
The beauty entrepreneur’s brother Jake and mother Joy took to social media to alert loved ones to the service earlier this week.
“We would love it if everyone who knew him would help us celebrate his life. Everyone who knew him and knew of him through others,” the message read.
While many flocked to the service to bid their emotional goodbyes, there was no sign of his former Olympic ex-lover.
His white coffin arrived for the ceremony – decorated with a white and purple bouquet.
Channing was Ian Thorpe’s first long-term boyfriend after he came out publicly (pictured together in 2018)
Pictured: Mourners arrive at Ryan Channing’s funeral Friday morning. A woman wears a wreath
Ryan Channing was a model and beauty entrepreneur before he died suddenly in early May at the age of 32. In the photo: Friends arriving at his funeral on Friday
People who knew and loved Ryan Channing greet each other with hugs before the memorial
After the funeral, his life was celebrated at Joondalup Golf Club in Connolly.
Channing was Ian Thorpe’s first long-term boyfriend after coming out publicly.
The couple had an on-again, off-again relationship for four years until they finally broke up in 2019.
Two weeks after the tragic death, Thorpe broke his silence.
“This is a relationship I had that was a long-term one and I feel for Ryan’s family,” the retired Olympian said. The Daily Telegraph†
‘I hope that people can also respect their privacy. I think when it’s someone so young, it’s tragic for anyone to see them pass at that age.”
While Channing’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, Indonesian police have said the 32-year-old died of an overdose of prescription drugs.
Ryan Channing split his time between Bali and Australia. In the photo: Friends and family arriving at the funeral on Friday
Channing had his own beauty company Blaq. In the photo: people arriving at his funeral
Ian Thorpe’s ex-boyfriend Ryan Channing (pictured) died two days after collapsing in a Balinese villa
Channing’s sister Charis (top center) posted a family photo four days before his funeral. Ryan Channing is pictured bottom center, next to his brother Jake
Channing’s mother Joy, who was bedridden during his last two days, released a statement on social media to thank friends for their support just days after her son passed away.
“Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming love and support you have shown us during this tragic time in our lives,” she posted on Instagram.
‘We are still in Bali but hope to be able to go home soon (sic).’
Channing’s skincare line, The Blaq Group, released a statement shortly after his death noting that he had health problems.
Channing’s sister Charis said accepting his death was “the hardest” thing her family had ever had to do.
Kuta police did not treat Channing’s death as suspicious and no charges had been filed – standard practice given that he died in hospital.
Last week Ryan Channing’s brother Jake posted a photo of them together (pictured) with the caption ‘forever’
Locals in Bali erected a memorial on a beach in the days following his death. Pictured: A banner that reads ‘We love you Ryan’
A medical team from the Canggu clinic stabilized Channing in the villa complex before taking him to the BIMC hospital in Kuta (pictured)
The model split his time between Bali, Australia and the United States on business, but he flew to Bali two weeks before his death to meet his parents and sister.
His family had previously attended an impromptu memorial service at a restaurant in Kuta.
“Ryan lived life to the fullest,” Ms Channing said in tribute to her son.
‘Constantly surrounded by tension and creativity, with an unmistakable drive to seek perfection in everything.
His mother Joy Channing posted a family photo with the caption “Family” after his death. Pictured, left to right: Ryan Channing’s grandparents, Ryan, his mother Joy and father Steve, sister Charis and brother Jake
Ryan Channing was reportedly frail and passed out in his villa (pictured) before being taken to hospital on May 6.
“To be part of Ryan’s world and to be swept up in his adventures and triumphs was a privilege for all of us.
“We will need time to understand how we will navigate the rest of our lives without his physical presence around us.”
Mr and Mrs Channing were pictured at Mano Beach House surrounded by eight close friends for a dinner in memory of the 32-year-old.
“#ryanchanningmemorial,” a friend wrote in the post.
A second tribute was also held on the sands of Kuta Beach, where lanterns were lit and friends held a banner with Channing’s face.
“We love you – Ryan Matthew Channing,” the banner read.
Ryan Channing’s parents (center) joined some of his Balinese friends for a memorial dinner just three days after his death
Charis Channing (left) says she is heartbroken at the loss of her brother Ryan (right)
His shocked death was announced on Instagram in early May by his younger brother Jake.
“As the headlines are smashing my entire family to post about this unfortunate time in our lives, it is with a heavy heart to announce that my brother Ryan recently passed away on Sunday, May 8 at the age of 32,” Jake wrote. †
“As we seek answers and deal with the heartbreaking loss of my beautiful big brother, we ask for your prayers, support and privacy, he will be loved forever, never forgotten and forever young.
“To my big brother, I love you, see you soon, you will be missed more than you know.”
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