Actress Stefanie Sherk Died by Suicide, Multiple Causes of Death: Reports

Canadian actress Stefanie Sherk at the Morelia Film Festival, in Morelia, Mexico, on Oct. 24, 2016. Berenice Bautista, File/AP Photo

The death of Canadian actress and model Stefanie Sherk has been ruled a suicide.

The L.A. County Medical Examiner-Coroner relayed the cause of death information to PEOPLE, one of which was reported to be drowning.

According to The Metro, two other causes of death have been identified as anoxic encephalopathy and asphyxia.

Sherk’s husband, actor Demián Bichir, was reported by The Blast as having found his wife unresponsive at the bottom of a swimming pool on April 12. The publication reported Bichir and a family member took Sherk to a hospital, where eight days later she died.

Law enforcement sources cited by The Blast said Sherk used a heavy object to weigh herself down at the bottom of the pool.

Bichir, 55, announced his wife’s death with “inconceivable pain” in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, April 24, saying Sherk had died “peacefully.”

“It has been the saddest and toughest time of our lives and we don’t know how much time it will take for us to overcome this pain,” he said in the post, which featured a photograph of Sherk.

It has been widely reported Sherk was 37 years old at the time of her death, though The Blast reported official records indicate she was 43.

Stefanie Sherk attends an event at Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles on Feb. 24, 2012. Michael Buckner/Getty Images for VF

Bichir did not divulge specifics about his wife’s cause of death, saying only that she passed away on April 20 “peacefully.”

“Stefanie’s beautiful, angelical, and talented presence will be immensely missed,” Bichir wrote. “We will hold Stefanie in our hearts forever.”

Stefanie Sherk and husband Demián Bichir attend a film gala in Los Angeles, on Nov. 1, 2014. Michael Buckner/Getty Images for LACMA

The actor asked for privacy in the family’s time of mourning.

“We thank everybody beforehand for their prayers and we respectfully ask for your understanding so we may grieve in peace and privacy in these incredibly difficult times.”

Bichir wrote, “It is our sincerest hope that our beautiful Stefanie, my angel and love of my life, will rest in eternal peace.”

Tributes

Friends and colleagues have offered condolences in the wake of the tragic loss.

Bryan Craig, who stars opposite Bichir on the ABC series “Grand Hotel” wrote, “This will be in my prayers Demian, I’m so sorry.”

Diane Kruger, who co-starred with Bichir in “The Bridge,” shared her sympathies: “Oh Demian, I’m so sorry I had no idea. I’m sending you so much love in this difficult time.”

Perez Hilton also commented: “My deepest condolences. Keeping her loved ones in my heart!”

Actors Stefanie Sherk, Demián Bichir, and Diane Kruger attend the after party for the season premiere of FX's "The Bridge" at the Pacific Design Center in Hollywood, Calif., on July 7, 2014. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Bichir, who is well known in Mexico, also received condolences from Alfonso Herrera, Carlos Bardem, and Omar Chaparro.

“Lo lamento mucho. Un abrazo con mucho respeto y cariño,” Herrera wrote in his native Spanish, which translates as: “My deepest regrets. Sending an embrace with great respect and affection.”

“Cuento lo siento Demian,“ wrote Chaparro, “te mando un abrazo sincero y mis oraciones para todos ustedes en estos momentos,” which translates as, “My condolences Demian, I send you a sincere hug and my prayers for all of you at this time.”

Sherk was born in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada, and has a number of acting credentials to her name.

In the 2015 television show “#Hashtag The Series,” she played the mother of a technology-obsessed teen.

She also starred in Bichir’s directorial debut “Un Cuento de Circo & A Love Song” alongside Eva Longoria.

Her other films include “Star Power,” “Valentine’s Day,” and “Loco Love.”

Meanwhile, Bichir’s film credits include Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” and a nomination for an Oscar for best actor for his role in “A Better Life.”

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

If you or someone you know is showing signs that they might be considering suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 800-273-TALK or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Texts can also be sent to The Crisis Text Line at 741741.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.