Charo Says Husband Battled Skin Disease, Depression Before His Suicide: 'He Ended His Suffering'
Charo has broken her silence on the death of her husband, Kjell Rasten.
The singer said Rasten, 78, suffered from a “rare and horrible” skin disease and had grown depressed before he died by suicide Monday.
“Yesterday, Kjell, my husband of forty years and the love of my life killed himself,” Charo said in a statement. “There are no words to describe what we are feeling now. He was an amazing man, a great husband and the best father I could imagine to our son. He dedicated his life to loving and supporting his family.”
The star noted that as Rasten’s health had been in decline; he developed a skin condition called Bullous Pemphigoid and became depressed. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology defines the condition as a “chronic blistering of the skin.”
RELATED: Charo’s Husband Kjell Rasten Dies by Suicide: Reports
“That, along with the many medications he needed to take, became too much for him, and he ended his suffering,” Charo’s statement read.
“None of us had any idea this could happen to such a wonderful, kind and generous man. Please, if anyone you know and love is suffering from depression or illness, hold them close, tell them you love them with all your heart and that the world is better because they are in it. Get any help you can. Suicide is not the answer.”
Charo, 68, ended her statement by thanking to her fans for their “love and concern.”
The Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that officers responded to a 911 call at the couple’s home at 12:31 p.m. on Monday, where they located a male subject “with life-threatening injuries.”
“Beverly Hills Police and Fire personnel attempted life-saving measures and transported the victim to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,” a spokesperson said. “Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the male succumbed to his injuries. Preliminarily, investigators believe the death is a result of a suicide; however, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death as well as the identity of the victim. This is an active investigation and no additional details are being released at this time.”
The Blast reported that Charo was present in the house at the time and accompanied her husband to the hospital via ambulance.
The couple married in 1978 and welcomed son Shel Rasten in 1981.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “home” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
