We have an update on the tragic and stunning death of Luke Perry.
As previously reported, the beloved actor passed away on Monday due to complications from a massive stroke he had suffered days before.
Perry was just 52 years old.
According to People Magazine, there was sadly never any real hope for Perry after this medical crisis hit.
The former Beverly Hills, 90210 actor – who had been starring on Riverdale at the time of his death – remained under “heavy sedation” for five days while in the hospital, following the stroke on February 27.
“He never regained consciousness,” this source explains. “Things were so dire that they put him under heavy sedation. He was gone, basically, by the time he got to the hospital.”
Perry suffered his stroke at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.
Paramedics were dispatched to his home after someone called 911, but there was next to nothing anyone could do to revive Perry by the time medical personnel arrived.
The statement from Perry’s rep, confirming this popular actor’s death yesterday, reads as follows:’
Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke/
He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends.
The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning.
No further details will be released at this time.
In the wake of this awful news, an endless array of celebrities shared their sadness and their thoughts about Perry on social media.
But Shannen Doherty, who starred opposite the actor for years on Beverly Hills, 90210, has now opened up about the tragedy to People for the first time.
“I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend. I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind,” Doherty told the publication.
Doherty added that she and Perry drifted apart after they each finished filming the former Fox drama, but they reconnected years ago when the actress went public with her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015.
“Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love," she says now.
"Luke reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained in tact."
Perry enjoyed many roles throughout his career, including his ongoing one as Fred Andrews on Riverdale — but he’ll always be remembered first for playing Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210.
He starred on the show from 1990-1995; and then returned again in 1998 until 2000.
“There is a special kind of love one has for each other when you are experiencing the journey we did on 90210 and of course life in general," continued Doherty.
"Luke and I were working on show ideas for us. We wanted to work with each other again and create something special and meaningful for our fans at this stage in our lives. I will miss him everyday. Every minute. Every second.”
In conclusion, Doherty remembers how much Perry adored his dog (who he brought along when the two recently met for lunch) and, of course, his children:
Son Jack, 21, and daughter Sophie, 18, who he shared with ex-wife Rachel “Minnie” Sharp.
“Luke loved his family. He raved about his kids and how proud he was of them. He showed me videos of the often,” says Doherty.
“They were his heart and for him, his biggest accomplishment.”