33-year-old William Friend was struck by lightning while he was on a boat near Masonboro Island near his home in Wilmington, North Carolina.
As reported by WECT-TV, “The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office responded with their Marine Unit, along with Wilmington Police Department’s Marine Unit, after civilians flagged them down during a routine patrol, where they found 33-year-old William Friend had been struck by lightning.”
“Deputies performed CPR on Friend as they were taking him to Bradley Creek Marina to meet EMS.”
“EMS moved Friend to the ambulance, where they attempted to resuscitate him for 20 minutes. Friend was then pronounced dead, and EMS took his body to the hospital to meet with family members.”
The American actress and the English native got married in 2016 after several years of dating.
“I love all sides of you,” she wrote on her Instagram. “I especially love the way you show up, support, care, and fight for the people and causes you love. Wrightsville Beach Will, you make this world better, and I’m so lucky to witness you do it. I love you.”
In July 2022, two years after the couple moved to North Carolina, the 33-year-old tragically died in the horrific lightning incident. He was just weeks away from his 34th birthday at the time of his passing.
“There’s really no safe place on a boat.”
“Some people think that there’s some protection just based on a little bit of metal, but really there isn’t when you consider that lightning gets into the metal systems of your boat and you’re very close to those. So. really. very little protection, especially if you’re an open boat,” as reported by the news outlet.
After his death, the OTH actress’s close friend, Odette Annable, took to her Instagram and wrote a tribute to her best friend’s late husband.
“The unimaginable has happened, and we have to say goodbye to another friend, @britwilliam. My best friend @bevinaprince beloved husband,” she wrote in her post.
“Will, it feels surreal writing this. Mostly because it feels like you were just getting started. The life and love that you gave to my best friend made it feel okay that we were thousands of miles apart,” she added.
“As I sit in your beautiful home, looking out onto the ocean, I keep thinking about what a gift you gave to Bevin. What a gift you gave to everyone who knew you to witness the passion that burned in your soul.”
The You Again star praised the late Brit for his kind and compassionate nature and intense love for the One Tree Hill Actress.
“You were perfect for her in every way. You supported her dreams, made her feel seen, adored her with every bit of your soul, and I will forever be grateful to witness that kind of love.”
In 2021, Bevin and William celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary, and the former uploaded a couple of PDA-filled photos of herself and her late husband having the time of their lives together.
“5 years, baby,” she wrote at the time. “Winston and I are so lucky to know you, to love you, and to learn with you. We have come so far, and I am so proud of the life we have built. You make life delicious, my love. I love you. @britwilliam.”
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Sources: WECT-TV – Instagram – People – Images & Featured Images via odetteannable on Instagram
