Ricki Lake has shared some tragic news with fans.
In an emotional Instagram post, the former talk show host confirmed on Tuesday that her ex-husband, Christian Evans, has passed away.
He was 45 years old.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed,” Lake wrote as a caption to the above image.
For those unfamiliar with Evans and his struggle, Lake continued:
“The world didn’t understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder. For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you.
“I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him. He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free.
“Rest in peace, my love.”
Lake and Evans got engaged in August 2011 and eloped in April of the following year.
They were husband and wife for two years.
In October of 2014, The Ricki Lake Show host split from the jewelry designer, filing for divorce a week due to irreconcilable differences.
It wasn’t an amicable break-up, however.
Evans claimed in the divorce that Lake defrauded him in negotiating the prenuptial agreement and attempted setting it aside, asking for more than the couple initially agreed to.
The divorce became final in 2015.
Back in 2011, Lake told People Magazine of Evans:
He’s a “normal guy. We met through my best friend. He’s a nobody, but he’s somebody to me. He’s everything to me.”
In 2012, she told the same publication:
“We just clicked. It just feels like he was the right one all along.”
Lake was previously married to Rob Sussman, with whom she shared a 19-year old son named Milo and a 15-year old son named Owen.
We send our condolences to Ricki Lake and all who knew Christian Evans well.
May he rest in peace.
