Adult film star Jay Hefner dies at 24 after ‘being shot dead while trying to protect his cousin’

ADULT film star Jay Hefner died on Sunday in a shooting while protecting his cousin, his family has confirmed.

Hefner whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins was killed in Lincoln, Nebraska, in what his family has called a "senseless act of gun violence."

Jay Hefner, whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins died on Sunday in a shooting in NebraskaCredit: Gofundme/ Kyra Miller

The 24-year-old had arrived in the city from his home in Ontario, Canada to celebrate the birthday of a loved one.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Hopkins' family claimed he died while "trying to protect his cousin from physical violence."

"It’s never easy to lose a loved one but losing a child is the most painful loss one can ever experience," Kyra Miller, a close friend of Hopkins' mother Jeni Brown wrote on the page.

There were three separate and unrelated shootings in Lincoln between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The incident involving Hopkins occurred around 1:30 am when officers were called regarding a fight.

When they arrived on the scene, they found two men with gunshot wounds who were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The police department later confirmed that a 24-year-old man had died from his injuries.

Hopkins was identified as the victim of the shooting by his family and an adult film production company, according to 1011 Now.

The second man from Lincoln, said to be in his forties is in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cops are appealing for more information regarding the incident.

The other shootings in the capital city occurred around 7:45 pm and 11:30 pm on Saturday but no other fatalities were reported.

Hopkins leaves behind his 10-month-old daughter, girlfriend Madeline, his siblings, and his terminally ill mother whom he cared for.

"Saiveon was a shining light that was there for everyone who loved him," Miller wrote.

"Father to a 10-month-old daughter, who adored him, he also helped his terminally ill mother care for his siblings."

His girlfriend Madeline took to Instagram saying that her "heart is completely shattered" as she shared a clip of him kissing her on the cheek on her stories.

In a separate post, she paid tribute to her "whole heart in human form" and revealed that she "instantly broke down" when she received a call from his mother.

"We had so much planned. I love you so much Saiveon I’m lost for words," she wrote.

"When your mom called I instantly broke down I’ve never felt this type of hurt and honestly idk how to get through it."

"There’s absolutely no words that can explain the love I have for you, but you know what it was about us. Rest up I’ll make sure you're never forgotten. Forever us," she added.

The fundraiser established by Miller has exceeded its target in less than 24 hours.

At the time of writing, $25,710 has been raised to help support his family which is already under "financial strain" due to his mother's medical care and now Hopkins' death, the page explains.

His death comes a year after he won an award in the industry and finished a degree in dentistry.

Tributes for Hopkins poured in on social media for the content creator after his cousin shared the news of his death on X.

"I send my condolences to you & your family. He was such a gentleman every time I seen him at events!" a fellow creator commented.

"This is devastating, so sorry for your loss. He is very loved," another wrote.

"My heart breaks for you and your family, Jay was such an amazing guy," a third added.