Ari Behn, a former member of Norway’s royal family, died by suicide on Wednesday (December 25), according to his manager. He was just 47-years-old.
Behn was best known as a successful Danish author. He wrote three novels, two collections of short stories and a book about his wedding to Norway’s Princess Martha Louise in 2002. The pair split in 2017 and shared three daughters together.
“It is with great sadness in our hearts that I on behalf of the very closest relatives of Ari Behn must announce that he took his own life today,” Behn's manager, Geir Hakonsund, said in a statement.
The Royal House of Norway also released a statement following his tragic passing. “Ari was an important part of our family for many years, and we carry warm and good memories of him with us,” the statement read. "We are grateful that we got to know him. We grieve that our grandchildren have now lost their beloved father — and have deep compassion for his parents and siblings, who have now lost their beloved son and brother."
In December 2017, Behn accused Kevin Spacey of sexual assault. Spacey allegedly groped Behn under a table at a Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2007. “We had a great talk, he sat right beside me. After five minutes, he said, ‘Hey, let’s go out and have a cigarette.’ Then he puts his hand under the table and grabs me by the balls,” Behn told a radio station at the time. “My hair was dark at the time, I was 10 years younger and right up his alley.”
The 60-year-old former actor, who has been accused of sexual assault by more than a dozen men, did not respond to Behn's allegation.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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