Stefanie Sherk, a model and actress who was married to Oscar nominee Demian Belchir, died back on April 20.
She was 43 years old.
![Stefanie Sherk](http://cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com/uploads/2019/01/stefanie-sherk-696x1024.jpg)
Belchir, who was up for Best Actor in 2012 for his role in A Better Life, confirmed this tragic news in an emotional Instagram message late Wednesday.
"Dear friends, On behalf of the Sherk and the Bichir Nájera families, it is with inconceivable pain that I announce that on April 20, 2019, our dearest Stefanie Sherk, my beloved and loving wife, passed away peacefully," wrote the actor.
He continued as follows:
"It has been the saddest and toughest time of our lives and we don’t know how much time it will take for us to overcome this pain.
"Stefanie’s beautiful, angelical and talented presence will be immensely missed. We will hold Stefanie in our hearts forever."
No cause of death has been revealed.
UPDATE: The coroner has now ruled the death to be a suicide by drowining.
![Stefanie Sherk and Demian Bichir](http://cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com/uploads/2019/04/stefanie-sherk-and-demian-bichir-1024x916.jpg)
“We thank everybody beforehand for their prayers and we respectfully ask for your understanding so we may grieve in peace and privacy in these incredibly difficult times,” Bichir added.
“It is our sincerest hope that our beautiful Stefanie, my angel and love of my life, will rest in eternal peace.”
Bichir and Sherk started dating in 2010.
They did not have any kids together, although Bichir has a daughter – Gala, born in 2011 – from a previous relationship.
Sherk may not be a major name in Hollywood, but she had a number of acting credits to her name at the time of her passing, including a role in Bichir’s directorial debut, Un Cuento de Circo & A Love Song in 2016.
She’s also had roles in #Hashtag: The Series, Valentine’s Day, Star Power, Loco Love, as well as the upcoming horror film Grudge, which she filmed with John Cho and Andrea Riseborough.
![Stefanie Sherk Picture](http://cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com/uploads/2019/04/stefanie-sherk-picture-677x1024.jpg)
Over social, both friends of the couple and fans offered their condolences and sent their prayers.
"Oh Demian, I’m so sorry I had no idea. I’m sending you so much love in this difficult time," wrote Diane Kruger wrote alongside three heart emojis.
Fellow Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me) also commented with a string of broken heart emoji.
![Stefanie Sherk Photo](http://cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com/uploads/2019/04/stefanie-sherk-photo-681x1024.jpg)
For their part, Belchir and Sherk kept a mostly low profile.
However, in September of 2018, the couple stepped out together to attend the premiere of Bichir’s film, The Nun.
"Complete," the actor wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the couple. "Yet one more happy day with this beautiful woman."
Just so terrible all around.
We send our condolences to Belchir and all of Stefanie Sherk’s loved ones.
May she rest in peace.