Inside the secret high-flying world of Paris Ow-Yang's ex after the Navy SEAL quit the military to protect the super rich before he died suddenly aged just 31

Swimwear model Paris Ow-Yang's ex-boyfriend had recently quit his special forces role with the US military to embark on a new career protecting international celebrities and the ultra-wealthy.

Rocket Stickney, who died last week aged just 31, spent six years in the elite US Navy SEALs until 2025 when he left the armed forces to join global security firm Gideon Risk Management.

The business describes itself as 'delivering intelligent solutions to complex challenges' and providing 'tailored services to meet your specific needs anywhere in the world'.

'The entire team's deep understanding of international security threats, coupled with their tactical training in high-stakes environments, empowers Gideon Risk to devise customized solutions that are both proactive and reactive,' the company states on its website.

'By drawing on this collective expertise, the team can navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and adapt to evolving risks swiftly and effectively.' 

In an August 2025 picture on his private Instagram account, Stickney is seen holding a bottle of Bud Light next to American singer and rapper Post Malone, who has an arm wrapped around him.

Earlier this month, he posted pictures and video of himself flying on a private jet from Washington state to Arizona, shooting a pistol at an indoor range and firing a rifle into a body of water. 

Stickney's family, from Sun Valley in Idaho, mourned its 'devastating loss' in a notice published in his hometown newspaper, the Idaho Mountain Express, on Wednesday.

Stickney, who died aged just 31 last week, spent six years in the elite US Navy SEALs until 2025 when he left the armed forces to join global firm Gideon Risk Management. He is pictured (centre) superstar singer and rapper Post Malone (right)

'His life reminds us that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same heart,' the family said. 

'Rocket was a truly sweet and kind person who was loved by all who knew him.

'His friends and family were an important part of his life and we know how much he meant to so many in our community. 

'A celebration of life is being planned, and details will be shared soon. Thank you to everyone in the community for your love, friendship and support during this difficult time. Rocket will forever live in our hearts.' 

Global Risk Management operates in 32 countries and has separate headquarters in California, London, and Florida, with regional offices across the US and in Singapore.

It recruits exclusively from the ranks of special operations forces and intelligence agencies, drawing veterans from units including Britain's SAS and Royal Marines as well as the US Army's 75th Ranger Regiment.

Stickney came from Navy SEAL Team 5, which is part of the US Naval Special Warfare Command, to lead Global Risk's executive protection operations.

He also sat on the board of directors of East West Global Healing, a non-profit organisation focused on mental health, particularly for first responders and military veterans.

Earlier this month, Stickney posted pictures and video of himself flying on a private jet from Washington state to Arizona and shooting a pistol at an indoor range (above)

Stickney was something of a mysterious figure when he was first photographed with 19-year-old Ow-Yang (above), who has who has 1.3million followers on TikTok

Stickney's final Instagram post, on August 16, show him shirtless on a beach with a spaniel.  His family mourned its 'devastating loss' in a notice published in his hometown newspaper

'I serve on this board to support veterans and strengthen the operations that help them heal and reclaim momentum,' he is quoted saying on the group's website. 

Stickney, who held a Bachelor's in Organisational Leadership from the University of Charleston in West Virginia, also spoke about his work with Gideon Risk Management.

'I design movement logistics, residential security, event protection, and threat assessments for high-profile clients,' he said​. 

'My current work also informs my passion for service.'

The heavily tattooed, 195cm (6'5") tall Stickney was something of a mysterious figure when he was first photographed with 19-year-old Ow-Yang in December 2024 strolling in Bondi.

Ow-Yang, who has 1.3million followers on TikTok and runs a lucrative OnlyFans account, was at that time facing serious criminal charges stemming from a domestic incident.

Waverley Local Court heard Ow-Yang had turned up at her mother Amanda's home at Double Bay on November 7, 2024 and run amok in a terrifying incident she could not recall. 

An enraged Ow-Yang had repeatedly called her mother a 'sl**' then threatened to take her own life and embedded two kitchen knives in the floor. 

Stickney and Ow-Yang (above) had parted ways by February 2025, just months after they went public as a couple. Stickney had only recently been cleared of a rape charge

Ow-Yang pleaded guilty to common assault, intimidation and destroying property after a violent incident at her mother's home in November 2024. She is pictured outside court

Ow-Yang was placed on a 15-month conditional release order after pleading guilty to common assault, intimidation and destroying property worth about $1,500.

Solicitor Michael Bowe unsuccessfully sought to have his client's offending dealt with under mental health provisions of the law, stating she suffered a 'whole series' of psychological conditions.

Ow-Yang had never recovered from her parents separating when she was about 13 and her problems had not been helped by a brief relationship with 44-year-old nightclub king Julian Tobias.

Tobias had dumped 18-year-old Ow-Yang upon their return from an overseas holiday in late 2023, just months after they began dating.

Ow-Yang blamed a drunken car crash in October 2023 on the emotional turmoil of that romance suddenly ending. 

Stickney was not in court for Ow-Yang's sentencing on the domestic violence charges but Mr Bowe referred to him in his submissions.

'She has a partner who is in the American army, he is a stable influence, albeit, the last partner she had was not,' Mr Bowe said.

'I've spoken to him on the phone and he seems like a pretty good bloke.'

Stickney's Instagram featured a series of photographs and video uploaded on August 15 showing him taking a flight on an Embraer Phenom 100 light business jet (above)

Four casually dressed men, including Stickney, could be seen toasting each other with cans of Coors Light onboard a private jet in one of the former Navy SEAL's final Instagram posts

After Ow-Yang was sentenced Daily Mail revealed Stickney had recently been cleared of rape and had not been allowed to leave Australia since the middle of the previous year.

Stickney was accused of raping a woman at Glebe, in Sydney's inner-city, in June 2023 but further details of the alleged offence have never been made public. 

He first faced a magistrate at Parramatta in July 2023 on a single count of sexual intercourse without consent.

Under his bail conditions, Stickney was ordered to surrender his US passport, not to depart the country at any time and not to apply for another international travel document.

Stickney pleaded not guilty to the rape charge in February 2024 year and reaffirmed that plea two months later when he was arraigned in Downing Centre District Court.

The case was set down for trial in February, 2025 but when Stickney appeared before Judge John Pickering on November 26, 2024 the charge was withdrawn.

A spokeswoman for the Director of Public Prosecutions said at the time the office would not be explaining why the charge was dropped.

'Reasons for the decision to withdraw a charge are made in accordance with the prosecution guidelines and are legally privileged,' she said.

Stickney sat on the board of directors of East West Global Healing, a non-profit organisation focused on mental health, and is still pictured on its website (above)

Stickney and Ow-Yang had parted ways by February 2025, just months after they went public as a couple. 

Daily Mail first revealed Stickney's death on Wednesday after tributes were posted to his Instagram account.

That account also featured a series of photographs and video uploaded on August 15 showing Stickney taking a flight on an Embraer Phenom 100 light business jet.

Four casually dressed men, including Stickney, can be seen toasting each other with cans of Coors Light onboard the aircraft.

Records show the same plane's most recent journey was on August 12 when it was flown from Arlington Municipal Airport in Washington state to Phoenix Deer Park Airport in Arizona.

Stickney was also shown in footage blasting a target with a semi-automatic pistol at a shooting range and firing a .308 tactical bolt-action rifle fitted with a scope into what appeared to be a river.

Amira Ross dated Stickney for two years before he began his relationship with Ow-Yang and told Daily Mail he was a 'beautiful person'.

'We lived together and I stood by him through his legal battles,' she said.

'Unfortunately, he was such a beautiful soul that felt everything so deeply and his mental health suffered immensely in the aftermath of the allegations made against him. 

'His father, mother and sister are devastated, as am I.'

'Rocket was a truly sweet and kind person who was loved by all who knew him,' his family said in a tribute published in their local newspaper. Stickney is pictured with his father Lon

Ross said her former boyfriend would 'always be remembered as a gentle and loving man who would do anything for his friends and family'.

Stickney's most recent partner, American woman Marguerite Gellert, left a tribute beneath his final Instagram photo, posted on August  16, which showed him shirtless on a beach holding a spaniel.

'This was never supposed to be your story my sweet bunny,' she wrote. 

'All you wanted in the world was a normal life to be a husband and to have a family. You were a little puppy in a world full of wolves. 

'Life was not fair to you and you deserved the whole world. 

'Every day without you is unbearable and knowing I lost my forever is a feeling I know you never meant to leave anyone with.'

Gellert continued to directly address Stickney, saying, 'You cared the absolute most for everyone you met.'

'You had the biggest heart,' she continued. 'You truly did everything out of love. 

'I could not be more gifted to have been loved so hard by you and have had the gift of loving you as much as I did. You're my forever and always my little puppy.'