Canadian model and actress Stefanie Sherk died on April 20 at the age of 43.

Her husband, Oscar nominee Demián Bichir (2012’s A Better Life), confirmed the sad news in a touching Instagram post on Wednesday, explaining that Sherk — whom he called “my beloved and loving wife” — had “passed away peacefully.”

A cause of death was not revealed.

“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,” Bichir, 55, wrote. “Stefanie’s beautiful, angelical and talented presence will be immensely missed. We will hold Stefanie in our hearts forever.”

“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 added. “It is our sincerest hope that our beautiful Stefanie, my angel and love of my life, will rest in eternal peace.”Bichir and Sherk began dating in 2010. They did not have any children together, though Bichir has a daughter — Gala, born in 2011 — from a previous relationship.

Sherk had a number of acting credits to her name, including a role in Bichir’s directorial debut, Un Cuento de Circo & A Love Song in 2016. She’s also had roles in #Hashtag: The Series, Valentine’s Day, Star Power, Loco Love, as well as the upcoming horror movie Grudge, which she filmed with John Cho and Andrea Riseborough.

According to her IMBD profile, Sherk was born in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada, and studied at the University of Western Ontario, graduating with an honors bachelor’s degree in history.

On Instagram, both friends of the couple and fans offered their condolences.

“Oh Demian, I’m so sorry I had no idea,” wrote actress Diane Kruger, who starred with Bichir in The Bridge. “I’m sending you so much love in this difficult time.”

Fellow Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me) also commented with a string of broken heart emoji.