Photo: Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via GettyWhile Dennis Shields’ death remains shrouded in mystery, it appearsBethenny Frankel‘s late on-off boyfriend may have been facing a private struggle.Shields wasfound deadof a suspected overdose in his Trump Tower apartment on Aug. 10. He was 51.On Wednesday, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office announced that an autopsywas not performedon his body due to a “religious objection.” Thus, his cause of death has been ruled undetermined. (Frankel declined to comment via a rep.)A source tells PEOPLE that the New York City-based banker’s death is “shocking,” adding: “Dennis was very quiet and reserved, but he had his own demons.”Of speculation that Shields had a substance abuse problem, a second source tells PEOPLE, “I think it was something he was battling since his back surgery.”A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner’s Office was unable to elaborate and told PEOPLE there would be no further comment.“All we can say is that we did not complete the autopsy so we cannot definitively say what the cause of death is,” said the spokesperson.Frankel, 47, first met Shields almost 30 years ago when he dated (and later married) one of her high school friends, Jill. Though she didn’t stay in touch with her classmate, Frankel and Shields shared other mutual pals and began dating in 2016, several months after he separated fromhis wife. (Jill previouslyaddressed Shields’ deathin an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, saying: “We are all heartbroken. Dennis was, and will always be, the love of my life. His spirit lives on in our children. Please respect our family’s privacy at this time.”)Alessio Botticelli/GCA source previously told PEOPLE Frankel and Shields’ coupling was“unconventional and not always exclusive.”“Bethenny loved him a great deal, but it was an unusual relationship,” said the source. “They would be together and then not. Sometimes these traditional relationships aren’t the best thing for everybody.”RELATED VIDEO:Bethenny FrankelSays She ‘Never Knows Exactly’ Where Relationship Stands with Dennis ShieldsNevertheless, the source said Shields was a “steadying rock” for theReal Housewives of New York Citystar.“He was very mild-mannered and she is like a force of nature,” the source said. “But she needed that in him.”Despite the complexities of the relationship, a friend told PEOPLE that the couple considered marriage in the months before his death — and he evengave her an engagement ring, according a source.On Sunday, Frankel spoke out abouther sorrowon Twitter.“It’s hard to breathe & I appreciate you giving me the space & support to try to do so,” shewrote. “It’s excruciating-sudden death is no closure & constant ?s & memories.”She continued, “Our relationship is current so it’s painfully raw. Trying to stay healthy & move through it w tears & close friends. Xo.”
Photo: Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty
While Dennis Shields’ death remains shrouded in mystery, it appearsBethenny Frankel‘s late on-off boyfriend may have been facing a private struggle.Shields wasfound deadof a suspected overdose in his Trump Tower apartment on Aug. 10. He was 51.On Wednesday, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office announced that an autopsywas not performedon his body due to a “religious objection.” Thus, his cause of death has been ruled undetermined. (Frankel declined to comment via a rep.)A source tells PEOPLE that the New York City-based banker’s death is “shocking,” adding: “Dennis was very quiet and reserved, but he had his own demons.”Of speculation that Shields had a substance abuse problem, a second source tells PEOPLE, “I think it was something he was battling since his back surgery.”A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner’s Office was unable to elaborate and told PEOPLE there would be no further comment.“All we can say is that we did not complete the autopsy so we cannot definitively say what the cause of death is,” said the spokesperson.Frankel, 47, first met Shields almost 30 years ago when he dated (and later married) one of her high school friends, Jill. Though she didn’t stay in touch with her classmate, Frankel and Shields shared other mutual pals and began dating in 2016, several months after he separated fromhis wife. (Jill previouslyaddressed Shields’ deathin an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, saying: “We are all heartbroken. Dennis was, and will always be, the love of my life. His spirit lives on in our children. Please respect our family’s privacy at this time.”)Alessio Botticelli/GCA source previously told PEOPLE Frankel and Shields’ coupling was“unconventional and not always exclusive.”“Bethenny loved him a great deal, but it was an unusual relationship,” said the source. “They would be together and then not. Sometimes these traditional relationships aren’t the best thing for everybody.”RELATED VIDEO:Bethenny FrankelSays She ‘Never Knows Exactly’ Where Relationship Stands with Dennis ShieldsNevertheless, the source said Shields was a “steadying rock” for theReal Housewives of New York Citystar.“He was very mild-mannered and she is like a force of nature,” the source said. “But she needed that in him.”Despite the complexities of the relationship, a friend told PEOPLE that the couple considered marriage in the months before his death — and he evengave her an engagement ring, according a source.On Sunday, Frankel spoke out abouther sorrowon Twitter.“It’s hard to breathe & I appreciate you giving me the space & support to try to do so,” shewrote. “It’s excruciating-sudden death is no closure & constant ?s & memories.”She continued, “Our relationship is current so it’s painfully raw. Trying to stay healthy & move through it w tears & close friends. Xo.”
While Dennis Shields’ death remains shrouded in mystery, it appearsBethenny Frankel‘s late on-off boyfriend may have been facing a private struggle.
Shields wasfound deadof a suspected overdose in his Trump Tower apartment on Aug. 10. He was 51.
On Wednesday, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office announced that an autopsywas not performedon his body due to a “religious objection.” Thus, his cause of death has been ruled undetermined. (Frankel declined to comment via a rep.)
A source tells PEOPLE that the New York City-based banker’s death is “shocking,” adding: “Dennis was very quiet and reserved, but he had his own demons.”
Of speculation that Shields had a substance abuse problem, a second source tells PEOPLE, “I think it was something he was battling since his back surgery.”
A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner’s Office was unable to elaborate and told PEOPLE there would be no further comment.
“All we can say is that we did not complete the autopsy so we cannot definitively say what the cause of death is,” said the spokesperson.
Frankel, 47, first met Shields almost 30 years ago when he dated (and later married) one of her high school friends, Jill. Though she didn’t stay in touch with her classmate, Frankel and Shields shared other mutual pals and began dating in 2016, several months after he separated fromhis wife. (Jill previouslyaddressed Shields’ deathin an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, saying: “We are all heartbroken. Dennis was, and will always be, the love of my life. His spirit lives on in our children. Please respect our family’s privacy at this time.”)
Alessio Botticelli/GC
A source previously told PEOPLE Frankel and Shields’ coupling was“unconventional and not always exclusive.”
“Bethenny loved him a great deal, but it was an unusual relationship,” said the source. “They would be together and then not. Sometimes these traditional relationships aren’t the best thing for everybody.”
RELATED VIDEO:Bethenny FrankelSays She ‘Never Knows Exactly’ Where Relationship Stands with Dennis Shields
Nevertheless, the source said Shields was a “steadying rock” for theReal Housewives of New York Citystar.
“He was very mild-mannered and she is like a force of nature,” the source said. “But she needed that in him.”
Despite the complexities of the relationship, a friend told PEOPLE that the couple considered marriage in the months before his death — and he evengave her an engagement ring, according a source.
On Sunday, Frankel spoke out abouther sorrowon Twitter.
“It’s hard to breathe & I appreciate you giving me the space & support to try to do so,” shewrote. “It’s excruciating-sudden death is no closure & constant ?s & memories.”
She continued, “Our relationship is current so it’s painfully raw. Trying to stay healthy & move through it w tears & close friends. Xo.”
source: people.com
