Entertainment
Husband of ‘One Tree Hill’ star killed by lightning
The couple married in 2016 and moved to North Carolina during the pandemic to be closer to family
July 7, 2022 10:48am
Updated: July 10, 2022 12:19pm
The husband of "One Tree Hill" star Bevin Prince died last Sunday after he was struck by lightning while boating with friends near his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, according to reports.
William Friend was 33 years old.
"The unimaginable happened," Prince's friend, actress Odette Annable, wrote on her Instagram in a tribute to Friend.
"The life and love you gave my best friend made it feel good that we were thousands of miles apart. As I sit in your beautiful home, looking out over the ocean, I keep thinking about the gift you gave Bevin. What a gift you gave to all 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 had never seen from you living in North Carolina with Bevin. 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 always be grateful to witness that kind of love."
She said she is "heartbroken" to hear Prince, 39, share stories about Friend "because she lost the love of her life and the world lost [someone] very, very good."
New Hanover County Sheriff's deputies performed CPR on Friend for 20 minutes after the lightning bolt struck him near Masonboro Island, North Carolina. He was pronounced dead in an ambulance in route to a hospital, according to WECT-TV.
In February, Prince posted a photo of Friend and their dog on her Instagram page and wrote, "Happy Valentine's Day I love you both more than words!
Prince and Friend moved from New York to North Carolina during the pandemic to be closer to family and started Recess Together, a local exercise business.
Prince played Bevin Mirskey in the teen drama "One Tree Hill," which ran from 2003 to 2012.
