Bethenny Frankel has spoken out for the first time since her long-term ex-boyfriend was found dead of an apparent drug overdose.
As reported last Friday, Dennis Shields passed away as the result of what appears to have been over-consumption of the prescription pill Oxycodone, although we’re still waiting for an official report from the coroner’s office.
He was 51 years old.
Just two days before this tragedy took place, Frankel had talked openly on an episode of The Real Housewives of New York City about how she was planning to take a three-month break from her romance with Shields.
However, this installment was filmed many months ago.
A far more recent report alleged that Shields was planning to propose to Bethenny during their final dinner date, only to get the strong impression in the middle of this meal that she was uninterested in marriage.
The general point here, however, is that Frankel and Shields were a very serious item for a long time.
They started dating in 2016 and continually found their way back to each other in the years since.
In the wake of Shields’ passing, Frankel has now shared the following image on Instagram.
The snapshot features Shields in bed with Frankel’s beloved dog Cookie, who passed away in October at the age of 17.
“Rest In Peace my sweet babies who gave me endless unconditional love,” wrote Bethenny as a caption, adding the hashtah “#nowandforever.”
We’re not about to judge anyone for how he or she responds to death.
Everyone mourns in his or her own way.
However, some social media users out there were taken aback by Frankel’s initial statement here for three reasons:
ONE, the passing of a pet is very sad. But is it a little bit odd to compare this event to the passing of a human loved one?
TWO, could it also be considered inappropriate to share a photo of Shields in a semi-passed out state, considering he died of an overdose?
THREE, Bethenny’s caption says nothing about Shields with the exception of how he treated her, which comes across as a bit self-serving.
Conversely, some are saying, Dennis’ estranged wife, to whom he was still legally married when he died, posted the above picture of herself and Shields.
Among other tributes, she wrote the following:
To the love of my life- Dennis-I will miss you every day. Forever your legacy will live on in our children and our future grandchildren.
Your intelligence, humor and of course your good looks will forever be engrained in our family!
even though we did not live together, you still remained my best friend and my husband. You’re the best — always and forever!
Jill, Bethenny and many others attended a funeral for Shields in Long Island on Monday.
According to the New York Post, Shields knew something was very wrong last Friday morning and asked his assistant to give him Narcan, an emergency medication intended to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose.
However, he lost consciousness before the medication could take effect and was pronounced dead a short time later.
May he rest in peace.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).