An autopsy confirmed that Happy Days star, Erin Moran, most likely died from cancer. In a heartbreaking statement shared on Scott Baio’s Facebook page, her husband, Steve Fleischmann, revealed the tragic details about the star’s battle with the cancer that just took her life at age 56.

The statement began, “Erin and I met 4/22/1992 and parted ways 4/22/2017.”

Steve shared that right after they returned from a trip to celebrate their anniversary last November, Erin “woke up and had about a dime size blood stain on her pillowcase,” which continued over the next few days. He wrote:

“I get a flashlight and say let me look. It was not her tongue it was her tonsil on the left side. I thought it was tonsillitis.”

A biopsy revealed that she had a common type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and she began chemotherapy and radiation.

Things quickly worsened for the actress, though. Steve shared:

 “It got so bad so fast. By the middle of February, Erin could no longer speak or eat or drink.”

Despite her decline, Erin’s spirits were high. Steve said:

“She was still happy, she was active, she texted people on her phone all day.”

The night before she passed, she had difficulty breathing, and Steve laid down with her and held her hand. He said:

“I laid down next to her held her right hand in my left. I feel asleep woke up about a hour later still holding her hand and she was gone, she was just gone …”

Steve shared that her treatment center never really revealed just how bad her condition was, but that her being with him when she passed was what was best for her.

You can read the full statement here.

We send Steve our heartfelt condolences.