The husband of One Tree Hill star Bevin Prince has passed away after being struck by lightning.
As reported by The Independent, 33-year-old William Friend died after being hit by lightning after the boat he was on got caught up in a storm near Masonboro Island in North Carolina.
Local news station WECT-TV reports that paramedics spent 20 minutes attempting to resuscitate Friend, but he was pronounced dead while in an ambulance on the way to a nearby hospital.
Prince - who is perhaps best known for her role as Bevin Mirskey on The CW series One Tree Hill - is yet to comment on her husband's death, but a friend of the couple, You Again star Odette Annable, has shared the following tribute to her Instagram page:
"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. 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. The passion to help people, to build your business, to find happiness like I’d never seen from you living in North Carolina with Bevin."
Annable's statement continued: "You were perfect for her in every way. You supported her dreams, you made her feel seen, you adored her with every bit of your soul and I will forever be grateful to witness that kind of love."
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**t out of America. I love you."
Annable included a link to a GoFundMe page that has been set up in order to raise funds for Recess - Friend and Prince's own business - and the Special Operators Transition Foundation.
The One Tree Hill star married Friend back in 2016, with the couple celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary last month.
Following Friend's death, John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council issued a warning via WECT-TV about being out on the water during the storm.
"We recommend getting as far away from water as possible but, to be honest, if you’re in the water or if you’re on the beach, you’re very exposed to the lightning threat," Jensenius said.
The National Lightning Safety Council says that Friend's passing is the third lightning-related death in the United States this year.
Our thoughts go out to Friend's family and loved ones at this time.
