LINCOLN, Neb.—Adult performer Jay Hefner was killed in a shooting early on Sunday morning. He was 24 years old.
Police reports said officers responded to a call about a fight around 1:30 a.m. CT, near North 11th Street in Lincoln. They found two men with gunshot wounds who were both taken to a local hospital. Hefner succumbed to his injuries at around 5:37 a.m.
A GoFundMe page explained that Hefner was visiting family to celebrate a birthday when he was killed. Hefner’s cousin, who posts under X handle @LeiLoni, confirmed his death on X and said, “Last night my cousin was murder (sic) in Nebraska if you can share this so we can lay him to rest @JayHefnerxxx.”
The GoFundMe fundraiser will help pay for funeral costs and support Hefner’s surviving family. He leaves behind his mother (who is terminally ill), siblings, and a 10-month-old daughter. As of this writing, the campaign had raised nearly $18,000 of its $25,000 goal.
Hefner, who debuted as a performer in 2022, was an up-and-coming male talent who performed in nearly 40 scenes, with several for Vixen Media Group and its Blacked, Deeper and MILFY brands. Some of his latest work included a role in the new feature American MILF for the MILFY label. He also hosted a popular OnlyFans page.
In 2023, he won an AVN Award for Best Foursome/Orgy Scene in the scene "High Gear" from Blacked Raw V56, as part of an ensemble that included Violet Myers, Vicki Chase, Vic Marie, Vanna Bardot, Nicole Doshi, Savannah Bond, Anton Harden, Richard Mann, Isiah Maxwell, Jonathan Jordan, Brickzilla, Garland, Jamie Knoxx, John Legendary, Tyrone Love, Stretch and Zaddy. Hefner recently had been nominated for Hottest Stud at the Urban X Awards held on August 25.
Hefner also was an ambassador for the apparel brand Fashion Nova. Aside from his work as a model, he was certified as a veneer technician for Seven Figure Smiles in Atlanta, according to an April Instagram post.
Condolences and tributes were posted to Hefner as news of his death was shared on X.
“Losing anyone in the industry hurts but I can’t believe this one. Jay was such a kind & charming guy. My favorite to work with. He brought such a good energy to set & I love the way his face lit up when he talked about his baby girl RIP Jay Hefner I wish this wasn’t real,” adult performer Kendra Sunderland posted.
Performer and 2024 Urban X Rising Star winner Baby Gemini wrote, “Friend you just broke my heart with this one. To know you outside of this industry shit was an honor. The way you took care of your whole family at such a young age is truly admirable. You’re really 1 of 1. The world needed more of you. I love you. RIP.”
“I miss you more than words can ever express. You were not only handsome, but so driven, SO fucking funny, and so kind. I remember doing your first collab and you asking a million questions, hungry to learn and get better. You were focused and driven to change your life and you were doing it. We would always tell each other we were proud of each other when we saw each other again ... I’m going to really miss you brother. Rest in POWER,” 2024 AVN Awards co-host Kazumi posted on X.
Adult performer and advocate Sinnamon Love appealed for contributions to the GoFundMe Page and wrote, “Sex workers are often the backbones of their families.”
Las Vegas-based pro-am content producer The Mandingo Club posted on X, “At a loss for words this morning. @JayHefnerXXX you were 1 of 1 bro. The world never got to see your full potential. Long Live Seven.”
