One Tree Hill actor Bevin Prince’s husband has tragically died after being struck by lightning near North Carolina.
William Friend - who had been married to the actress since 2016 - had been sailing off the US coast when he was reportedly struck by lightening on Sunday, according to WECT News.
Medical teams rushed to the scene and attempted to recucitate the British national but he was later pronounced dead aged 33, it has been reported.
Friend was born in the United Kingdom before settling in the US in high school. He later went on to become the CEO of Bisnow.
Prince, who had starred as Bevin Mirskey in One Tree Hill until 2012, is yet to publicly comment on the death of her husband.
The couple had also celebrated their wedding anniversary on May 21, less than two months before Friend’s tragic death this weekend.
Odette Annable, a good friend of the pair, has since confirmed the news on social media as tributes poured in for Friend.
“The unimaginable has happened and we have to say goodbye to another friend, @britwilliam. My best friend @bevinaprince beloved husband. Will, it feels surreal writing this,” she wrote on Instagram.
”Mostly because it feels like you were just getting started. The life and love that you gave to my best friend made it feel okay that we were thousands of miles apart. As I sit in your beautiful home, looking out onto the ocean, I keep thinking about what a gift you gave to Bevin.
“What a gift you gave to everyone who knew you to witness the passion that burned in your soul.”
Annable went on to praise Friend for being “perfect” for the One Tree Hill star as he “supported her dreams.”
She added: “Being here with Bevin, hearing her share stories about you and your love breaks my heart for her, because she lost the love of her life and the world lost a really really good one. I know you will still be with her and your gorgeous brothers and family the Prince family, and we will all feel you spreading your light and beauty through everyone who was fortunate enough to know you.
“At only 33 years old, you did it, and you went out like no other in a blaze of glory. May you Rest In Peace you charming, witty, beautiful British man who loved the s*** out of America. I love you.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up in memory of Friend.
