Bethenny Frankel has broken her silence after the death of her on-off boyfriend Dennis Shields.
Bethenny Frankel's Instagram (c) post
The 51-year-old banker - whom Bethenny had been dating on and off since 2016 - was found dead in his Trump Tower apartment on Friday (10.08.18) after reportedly suffering from an overdose, and on Monday (13.08.18), the 'Real Housewives of New York' star took to Instagram to post a tribute to her late former lover.
Posting a picture of Dennis laying on a bed with her beloved dog Cookie - who passed away in October last year at the age of 17 - Bethenny wrote: "Rest In Peace my sweet babies who gave me endless unconditional love. #nowandforever (sic)"
And a source later claimed that Bethenny - who was not in a relationship with Dennis at the time of his death - has been left "devastated" by the news.
They told People magazine: "She is devastated. She loved him. He was her family and [her eight-year-old daughter] Bryn's family. Bryn loved him. Dennis was Bethenny's partner, her family, her business partner and her best friend.
"He helped her with things - emotionally and professionally, and he was her confidante. No question that she did love this guy."
The news comes after a separate source previously said Bethenny was "heartbroken" by Dennis' death.
They said: "This is really bad. It's dreadful. She's known him for over 20 years. She's heartbroken."
Bethenny began dating Dennis three years after filing for divorce from ex-husband Jason Hoppy, with whom she has eight-year-old daughter Bryn.
The pair endured many break-ups and make-ups - most of which was documented on 'The Real Housewives of New York' - but remained close even when they weren't together.
A source previously said: "Bethenny and her daughter Bryn love Dennis and his family and they have been a support system during her negative divorce and a positive influence in Bryn's life.
"They had a 27-year friendship before they dated so they picked that up where they left off once they realised they didn't work as a couple. Her daughter adores him and his family, and she comes first above all."
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