'One Tree Hill' alumni share condolences after lightning death of Bevin Prince's husband

Several "One Tree Hill" stars took to social media this week to share their condolences and support for their former co-worker Bevin Prince as she mourns the death of her husband.

William Friend, 33, died Sunday after being struck by lightning near Masonboro Island while boating with friends.

Hilarie Burton Morgan and Sophia Bush, stars of the Wilmington-shot drama, posted messages of support on their Instagram pages Thursday.

"It’s unfathomable," Morgan wrote of Friend's death. "Bevin is a huge part of our OTH family."

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Morgan shared that Prince — who portrayed Bevin Mirskey, a loveable member of the cheer squad at Tree Hill High School, during the CW show's nine-season run — is "light personified."

Morgan also shared the link to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Friend's family and friends, which has raised more than $70,000 as of Friday.

According to the campaign, funds raised will go to support Recess, a Wilmington outdoor cycling studio founded by Friend and Prince, and the Special Operators Transition Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting Special Operations veterans and their families.

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"Thank you for helping us to honor him in the way that we are certain he would have wanted us to," the campaign says.

Bush said she was "heartbroken and at a loss" after hearing the news of Friend's death.

"Our family is grieving for one of our own," she wrote in an Instagram story.

Kate Voegele, who portrayed the recurring character Mia Catalano in the series, shared the GoFundMe link to her Instagram story, encouraging her followers to honor Friend's memory by donating.

"He was such a beautiful person and will be so very missed," Voegele said.

Friend was chief executive officer of New York-based Bisnow, a digital media company. Prince, 39, and Friend were married in 2016.

The two moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and founded Recess.

According to his obituary, Friend was born in London and moved to the United States at 15 years old. A friend had a "thirst for new experiences" and loved flying planes, riding motorcycles, running marathons, and going scuba diving.

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Saturday would have been his 34th birthday.

Lt. Jerry Brewer, public information officer for the sheriff's department, said law enforcement responded to Masonboro Island Sunday around 3 p.m.

There, they found Friend had been struck by lightning. He was transported via boat to Bradley Creek Marina. During transport, deputies performed CPR for about 20 minutes, Brewer said, before meeting EMS at the marina. Despite life-saving measures, Friend was pronounced dead.

Jamey Cross is the public safety reporter at the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross. 

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: OTH alums show support after death of co-star Bevin Prince's husband