Shannen Doherty’s ex-husband Ashley Hamilton spoke out for the first time since the actress’s death.
The actor, who was married to Doherty from 1993 to 1994, called his late ex-wife his “guardian angel” in a statement Monday.
“Even though things don’t always work out the way we hope they will, she stood by my side during some of my darkest times,” he told Us Weekly. “My love and admiration for her lasted far longer than our short-lived marriage.”
Hamilton, 49, admitted he did not reach out to Doherty when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 — and again in 2019.
However, he noted that, as a cancer survivor himself, “watching her battle that horrific disease with such stoicism” was “inspiring.”
The comedian concluded, “The world lost a free-spirited soul, and my heart aches for her and for all those who loved her. May she rest in peace.”
Doherty and Hamilton had a tumultuous relationship, with her telling “Let’s Be Clear” podcast listeners in January that his addiction struggles played a part in her “Beverly Hills, 90210” firing.
“I was in a really horrible marriage, and there were things that were transpiring in that marriage that made it really hard for me to consistently be on time for work,” she recalled.
“I didn’t even want to leave the house because I was scared that [Hamilton] would go and get drugs.”
She continued speaking candidly on her podcast throughout her cancer battle, releasing her final episode in June.
Doherty died at age 53 Saturday, with her doctor telling People that she was “surrounded” by a “select group” of friends and family members during her final moments.
“She was in a place where she was very comfortable and sleeping and transitioning,” Dr. Lawrence D. Piro explained. “It was somber and sad, but beautiful and loving.”
The oncologist — and Doherty’s close friend — continued, “She fought so hard. And she didn’t believe that it would ever be over, which kind of makes everybody around you believe that, too, because you want to believe that.”
The “Charmed” star settled her divorce from ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko one day before her death.
The former couple split in early 2023 amid cheating accusations, which the photographer has denied.
Piro called the breakup “draining” on Doherty amid her health struggles, while her friend Tara Furiani slammed Iswarienko’s apparent lack of “humanity.”
The business consultant alleged, “Shan lost everything (including her SAG insurance) and her husband was dragging his feet with income discovery in court, in an effort to delay a judgement or payment, until she died (where it would now be moot).”
Iswarienko has yet to pay tribute to the late “Heathers” star — and neither has Rick Salomon, to whom she was married from 2002 to 2003.