The Most Devastating Detail About Shannen Doherty's Last Moments
"Charmed" and "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Shannen Doherty died on July 13 at 53 years old following a years-long battle with cancer. The oncologist that treated Doherty, Dr. Lawrence D. Piro, became the actor's friend over time and was even there when she passed away. In an interview with People, he spoke about their bond and the resilience with which Doherty approached her illness.
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00:00Charmed and Beverly Hills 90210 star Shannon Doherty died on July 13,
00:062024 at 53 years old, following a years-long battle with cancer.
00:11The oncologist that treated Doherty, Dr. Lawrence Pirro, became the actor's friend over time and was
00:17even there when she passed away. In an interview with People, he spoke about their bond and the
00:22resilience with which Doherty approached her illness. Even as things got harder,
00:27the 90s icon didn't give up. Dr. Pirro said of Doherty,
00:31"'She was an incredible warrior in everything she did.'"
00:35He also described being one of the people who was with Doherty when she died,
00:39along with her beloved dog and some of her dearest friends.
00:42The room was surrounded by a select group of friends that were giving her a lot of care and
00:46support. It was somber and sad, but beautiful and loving. The hardest thing about this was
00:52that she wasn't ready to leave because she loved life. In 2016, a year after her initial breast
00:58cancer diagnosis, Doherty shared some kind words for Pirro on Instagram. In the caption, alongside
01:05a sweet photo of them, the actress detailed how close they were and how receptive he was to her
01:10questions at appointments. I like to say I'm his favorite patient, but I have a feeling all of us
01:15think that. As it turns out, though, the actor was probably right. After all, the two discussed
01:20more than her health. Dr. Pirro talked with People about how Shannon Doherty did not let
01:25her messy divorce drama with ex-husband Kurt Iswa-Ryanko hinder her progress too much.
01:31I never got the sense that that emotional challenge was draining her ability to
01:35continue to fight on the medical side. It certainly made it more challenging,
01:39but she's such a winner that I feel like she pooled all the resources necessary to give
01:44the best fight against cancer, even though she was being very emotionally challenged.
01:49They look at you like you're dead man walking, basically, and that they need to say their
01:55goodbyes to you or something. Doherty and Iswa-Ryanko got married in 2011.
02:01Amidst her ongoing illness, they separated in January 2023 after she reportedly discovered
02:07he was having an affair. The actress officially filed for divorce that April, but she demanded
02:12spousal support from him. Doherty's heartbreaking final act on July 12th, the day before she passed,
02:18was to officially sign a document that stated neither party was asking for support in order
02:23to finalize the divorce. Iswa-Ryanko signed as well, but not until July 13th.
02:29This came after court documents from June 2024 showed that Doherty was asking to be paid monthly
02:34support retroactively and claiming her ex was, quote,
02:38"...intentionally delaying settlement in hopes that I will not survive the divorce proceedings."
02:42Iswa-Ryanko's lawyer denied that was the case.
02:46Dr. Pirro was far from the only loved one who shared kind words for Shannon Doherty following
02:50her passing. Many of Doherty's fellow celebrities had heartbreaking reactions to her death,
02:56while her mother, Rosa Doherty, was also understandably devastated.
03:00While speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Rosa said,
03:03She is my beautiful girl and my heart. Our family wants to thank everyone who
03:07has shown love and support for our Shannon throughout her life. We are truly appreciative."
03:12Gabrielle Carteris worked with Shannon on Beverly Hills 90210,
03:16and her Instagram tribute mentioned another late actor from that show, Luke Perry.
03:21Carteris wrote on Instagram,
03:23"'So young, so sad. May you rest in peace Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.'"
03:29The hit drama aired on Fox, and the network shared a statement with USA Today in which
03:33they complimented Shannon as both a person and an actor, noting,
03:37"...while Shannon was far too young to leave us,
03:39over her decades-long career she built a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated forever."