Shannen Doherty’s ex Ashley Hamilton pays tribute to her death

Shannen Doherty’s ex-husband Ashley Hamilton spoke out for the first time since the actress’ death.

The actor, who was married to Doherty from 1993 to 1994, described his late ex-wife as his “guardian angel” in a statement on Monday.

“Even though things don’t always work out the way we hope, she stood by me through some of my darkest times,” he told Us Weekly. “My love and admiration for her lasted much longer than our short-lived marriage.”

Hamilton, 49, admitted he did not contact Doherty when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 – or again in 2019.

However, he himself is a cancer survivor and noted that it was “inspiring” to “see her fight this terrible disease with so much stoicism.”

The comedian concluded, “The world has lost a free-spirited soul and my heart aches for her and all who loved her. May she rest in peace.”

Doherty and Hamilton’s relationship has been turbulent. In January, she told listeners of the podcast “Let’s Be Clear” that his struggle with addiction played a role in her firing from the series “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

“I was in a really terrible marriage and there were things that happened in that marriage that made it really difficult for me to always show up to work on time,” she recalls.

“I didn’t even want to leave the house because I was afraid (Hamilton) would get drugs.”

During her battle with cancer, she continued to speak openly on her podcast, her last episode was released in June.

Doherty died on Saturday at the age of 53. Her doctor told People that she was “surrounded” by a “select group” of friends and family in her final moments.

“She was in a place where she was very comfortable, sleeping and experiencing her transition,” explained Dr. Lawrence D. Piro. “It was dark and sad, but also beautiful and loving.”

The oncologist – and Doherty’s close friend – continued: “She fought so hard. And she didn’t believe it would ever be over, which makes everyone around you believe that too, because that’s what you want to believe.”

The “Charmed” star finalized her divorce from ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko the day before her death.

The former couple separated in early 2023 due to allegations of infidelity, which the photographer denied.

Piro described the split as “exhausting” for Doherty, who is struggling with her health, while her friend Tara Furiani sharply criticized Iswarienko’s apparent lack of “humanity.”

The business counsel claimed, “Shan lost everything (including her SAG insurance) and her husband delayed taking income to court in order to delay a judgment or payment until she died (at which point the matter would be moot).”

Iswarienko has not yet paid her last respects to the late “Heathers” star – and neither has Rick Salomon, whom she was married to from 2002 to 2003.