It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed. The world didn’t understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder. For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you. I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him. He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love

A post shared by Ricki Lake (@rickilake) on Feb 14, 2017 at 3:46pm PST

Ricki Lake’s ex-husband, Christian Evans, has passed away.

The former host of the Ricki Lake Show posted a photo on Instagram writing, “It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed. The world didn’t understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder. For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you. I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him. He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love.”

The couple had eloped in April 2012, then separated two years later. Ricki later said they were set up their her best friend, saying to People, “We just clicked. It just feels like he was the right one all along.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ricki!