Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix had a detailed reference to Ali Rafiq earlier than his tragic dying.
Rafiq was mates with Sandoval, 41, earlier than his rise to stardom on Vanderpump Guidelines. The Bravo sequence, which premiered in 2013, launched viewers to the workers at Lisa Vanderpump‘s SUR restaurant. The eye rapidly shifted to the interpersonal relationships between the costars — together with Sandoval and Kristen Doute, who dated from 2007 to 2013.
After Sandoval and Doute, 40, break up, he moved on with Madix, 38. They have been collectively for practically a decade earlier than information broke in March 2023 that Sandoval cheated with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, prompting the duo to name it quits.
Rafiq maintained bonds with each Doute and Madix following their respective splits from Sandoval. After Rafiq’s sudden passing in Could 2023, Sandoval, Madix and Doute took to social media to honor their late buddy.
“Oh, it’s actually candy that they each cared for him a lot and he cared for them a lot, and he actually revered and he was so pleased with them,” Ali’s sister, Rabia Rafiq, instructed the US Solar in Could 2023. “I’ve been displaying my mother among the Instagram tagged posts and all these reminiscences that individuals have with him. It’s very nice as a result of there’s all these footage that we’ve by no means seen.”
She added: “It’s serving to. It makes my dad and mom really feel higher realizing that he was so liked.”
Hold scrolling to revisit Sandoval and Madix’s reference to Ali:
Sandoval and Ali’s Friendship
Earlier than transferring to Los Angeles, Sandoval grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, the place he shaped a friendship with Ali. The duo have been buddies since their highschool days and stayed in contact when Sandoval moved to California to pursue a profession in performing and modeling. Ali, in the meantime, prospered as a photographer.
What Led to Ali’s Tragic Loss of life
In Could 2023, Ali’s dad and mom discovered him on the ground of their dwelling in Missouri after he had a fall and hit his head on a desk. His sister instructed TMZ that very same month that Ali had no identified diseases aside from bronchial asthma.
In keeping with Rabia, Ali’s dying certificates listed “organ failure” as the reason for dying. His household, nonetheless, hoped toxicology stories would supply extra info regardless of authorities saying there have been no indicators of foul play.
How Sandoval and Madix Honored Ali
Sandoval took to social media on the peak of his dishonest scandal to pay tribute to Ali.
“The love I’ve for you is means past phrases I’ll carry u eternally in my coronary heart,” he wrote by way of Instagram on the time. “At all times cherishing the gorgeous reminiscences, uncontrollable laughter, and epic experiences we had collectively. You have been My greatest buddy, my brother. I’ll catch u on the following dawn…5min/5hour 5or500.”
Madix, in the meantime, shared an emotional message about how a lot she missed Ali.
“I hold eager to textual content you. it looks like this could’t even be actual. we have been simply planning your journey to LA. speaking about our futures and all of the issues we have been trying ahead to. i miss our talks about life. i miss sending one another cat memes,” she wrote by way of her Instagram Story on the time. “I miss geeking out over meals. or dj movies. i miss you bringing your turntables over. i miss us each eager to go dwelling however nonetheless staying out and having enjoyable. i miss reduce copy and chromeo songs.”
Madix continued: “I like you all the time and eternally. i’m grateful for the moments we spent collectively and for the love and friendship you confirmed me over the past ten years. You’re so liked and you’re so missed. i’m proud to have the ability to say i do know ali the good. since you ARE and can all the time be the best.”
What Ali’s Household Mentioned About His Reason for Loss of life
“It’s human nature to ask, what occurred, how did he die? The reality is, we don’t understand how he died, we simply discovered him and he was already gone,” Rabia stated in an Instagram Story after Ali’s funeral service in Could 2023. “We gained’t have any solutions from his assessments for weeks, so we don’t know.”
How Ali’s Reminiscence Has Been Honored
In October 2023, Ali’s members of the family shared a submit by way of his Instagram account, which learn, “Right now marks 5 months since Ali’s passing. It nonetheless appears surreal, like he’ll come again to us. One good thing that has occurred within the final month is the completion of Ali’s water effectively, in a village in Pakistan that had no water sources.”
Ali’s family members thanked “everybody who donated at his celebration of life” for making an influence.
“Due to you all, these folks now have entry to wash water. The phrase ‘Marhoom’ means deceased. It is rather painful to see that phrase in entrance of his title,” the submit concluded. “Our Prophet has stated ‘Whoever fulfilled the wants of his brother, God will fulfill his wants.’ Thanks to everybody who donated in my brother’s title. 🙏🏽 .”