The Oscar nominee, 55, posted four statements on his page, two in English and two in Spanish, confirming the coroner’s report that classifiedSherk’s death as suicide. Sherk died on April 20 at 43. One of the causes of death was listed as drowning.
“It is with courage, dignity and love for our Stefanie, that we confirm such information,” Bichir wrote in one post. “It was our hope that we would have some time to heal and grieve before we could talk about this issue that affects way too many people around the globe. This is a serious and, in many cases like ours, an invisible affliction that corners human beings in a terrifying and dark place. Depression has taken the lives of so many beautiful, wonderful, talented people such as my beloved wife, Stefanie.”
Stefanie Sherk.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The actor went on to say that the family will one day address her tragic death and work towards helping people battling depression, but that his statement now was to focus on who Sherk was and the impact she left behind on countless people.
“Stefanie was an extraordinary daughter, a generous loving sister, a smart and funny friend, a dignified, elegant and talented actor and a compassionate human,” he wrote. “She was the perfect woman for me. My soul mate. My best friend. She made me better in every sense. I fell under her gorgeous spell ever since I laid eyes on her for the first time. And that was the same effect she caused on everybody who had the fortune to know her.”
Sherk was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada and started dating Bichir in 2010. Though news of their marriage was never reported, the actor referred to her as his wife in his Instagram post confirming her death on Tuesday.
Stefanie Sherk.David Livingston/Getty
In the second of two posts on Friday, the actor went on to ask for privacy for his family and thanked people for reaching out in support.
“We want to thank you all for your loving support your words of encouragement and solidarity,” Bichir wrote. “Stefanie’s life and legacy were way bigger and more wonderful than what made her leave us so early. We love you deeply, Stefanie Sherk.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “home” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
