Ricki Lake shares some devastating news about her ex-husband Christian Evans

Ricki Lake (R) and Christian Evans arrive at Trevor Live at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

In a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday, actress Ricki Lake announced that her ex-husband Christian Evans, who battled bipolar disorder, has passed away.

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“It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed,” Lake, who was married to Evans for three years, wrote along side a picture of the two of them looking into each other’s eyes and smiling. “The world didn’t understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder.”

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She went on to describe how much Evans meant to her and how difficult losing a loved one to mental illness can be.

“For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you. I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him,” she continued. “He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love.”

Lake got engaged to Evans, a jewelry designer, in 2011, and the pair eloped in 2012. However, they separated in 2014, filing for divorce shortly after due to irreconcilable differences. Despite it all, it’s clear Lake continued to think very highly of him and to cherish him until the very end.

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