Zara Sobansky Omaha NE Obituary – Zara “AJ” Sobansky, a bright and deeply loved 17-year-old student at Millard North High School, was taken from this world far too soon on Friday, June 6, 2025, in an act of senseless violence.
Her death, the result of a tragic shooting at the hands of a former boyfriend, has devastated her family, friends, and the wider Omaha community. Her vibrant spirit, immense talent, and authenticity will be forever remembered and heartbreakingly missed.
AJ had just completed her sophomore year and was on the cusp of what should have been a summer filled with laughter, creativity, and dreams in motion. She was a young woman who fully embraced life, never afraid to be herself and always willing to stand up for what she believed in.
Her friends describe her as a light in their lives—honest, brave, and full of laughter. She had a presence that could turn a bad day around, and a warmth that welcomed others in.
Academically strong and creatively gifted, AJ was active in many facets of school life. She was an enthusiastic member of Millard North’s show choir, where she shined on stage not just for her voice and movement, but for her energy and heart.
In forensics (speech and debate), she found a platform for her voice and her ideas—always speaking up for others and fearlessly expressing herself. She also had a deep love of poetry, which she used both as a creative outlet and as a way to connect more deeply with the world around her.
AJ’s passion for theater was one of the truest expressions of her spirit. Most recently, she performed in the school’s production of Mean Girls, where her performance was marked by her commitment, charisma, and powerful stage presence.
Whether in costume under the lights or in casual conversation with friends, AJ brought the same sincerity and fire to everything she did. She was a friend who listened without judgment, who lifted others up, and who knew how to make everyone around her feel seen.
While AJ’s life was filled with promise, her tragic and sudden death is a harsh reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by intimate partner violence—even among teenagers. Her story is not only one of heartbreaking loss but also of a community now galvanized to raise awareness and demand change.
Her family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local organizations supporting young people in abusive relationships and promoting education about healthy boundaries and consent.
Zara was not defined by what happened to her. She was, and remains, defined by how she lived—with courage, honesty, empathy, and joy. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew her, in the songs she sang, in the words she spoke, and in the lives she touched with her kindness and humor.
She is survived by her loving family, including parents, siblings, and extended relatives, all of whom were deeply proud of the remarkable young woman she was becoming. She also leaves behind countless friends, teachers, and mentors who were better for having known her.
A memorial service will be held in the coming days to honor AJ’s life, with details to be announced soon. It will be a space to grieve, to celebrate, and to remember the beautiful soul we were lucky to know.