Heartbreaking truth about Shannen Doherty in her dying days is hard to handle
Shannen Doherty had “big plans” for 2024 and believed she had more time left before succumbing to cancer, according to reports.
The passing of Charmed star Doherty left the entertainment world in mourning earlier this month after the 53-year-old lost her cancer fight. The actress was first diagnosed with the illness in 2015, but entered remission in 2017.
Two years later in 2019, though, Doherty broke word to her fans that her cancer had returned and was in stage 4. Thus began a new fight for her life which ultimately proved to be one she could not win.
Doherty’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane shared a statement with People confirming the news.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease.”
Doherty was ever candid with the updates regarding her cancer battle, regularly informing fans throughout her journey facing the illness. Yet, according to RadarOnline, the 90210 actor believed she had more time left before her passing, and was even eyeing a move to Italy.
In a tribute episode on the House of Halliwell rewatch podcast, Holly Marie Combs, 50, Brian Krause, 55, and Drew Fuller, 44, all former castmates of Doherty from her Charmed days, offered insights into the actress’s final thoughts.
Combs, who played Doherty’s on-screen sister in Charmed, revealed that the star “didn’t think she was going anywhere anytime soon.”
Combs added: “It sounds terribly cliché until it happens to you, but you always think you have more time and life changed on a dime.”
The actress also shared how Fuller – who played Chris Halliwell in Charmed – was in Italy when he got wind that Doherty’s health had taken a turn for the worse. The actor reportedly raced back to the US to be by Doherty’s side.
Combs said: “She’s definitely laughing at him panicking and getting on a plane for her because that was her dream. That was her goal. That was her dream life. Her next trip was going to be to Italy, and she was considering moving to Italy.”
Of Doherty’s will to live in the face of damning odds, Combs said: “She was going to outlive us all, and there were many times I firmly believed that. So, when things did take a turn, and it happened very quickly, it was very shocking. Which sounds silly to say when someone has a terminal disease but it’s still very shocking.”
She added: “She just wanted to do so much more than her body was able to do. And I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who had such enthusiasm for life. She just wanted to do more and more things and see more and more places. I dare say Rose [McGowan] was actually the most upset.”
Dr. Lawrence D. Piro, who was a close friend of Doherty’s, last week revealed how Doherty’s final moments of life played out, describing the star as “very comfortable”.
“In the last few hours, she was in a place where she was very comfortable and sleeping and transitioning, and she was surrounded by some of her very close friends,” Dr. Lawrence said.
“The room was surrounded by a select group of friends that were giving her a lot of care and support. It was somber and sad, but beautiful and loving. The hardest thing about this was that she wasn’t ready to leave because she loved life.”
Rest in peace, Shannen Doherty. Our hearts are with her loved ones.
