The actress/singer urges people to reach out to their loved ones who are dealing with depression as she's grieving her husband Kjell Rasten's tragic passing.
- Feb 20, 2019
AceShowbiz - Charo has broken her silence in the wake of her husband Kjell Rasten's death by suicide. Confirming the sad news, she said in a statement released via her representative Gabriel Reyes on Tuesday, February 19, "Yesterday, Kjell, My husband of forty years and the love of my life killed himself."
"There are no words to describe what we are feeling now," she shared. Praising Kjell as "an amazing man, a great husband and the best father I could imagine to our son," she added, "He dedicated his life to loving and supporting his family."
The Spanish-American singer/actress also revealed that her husband had been battling a health issue that led to his depression. She explained, "In recent years, his health began to decline and he developed a rare and horrible skin disease called Bullous Pemphigoid. He also became very depressed."
"That, along with the many medications he needed to take, became too much for him, and he ended his suffering," she said. "None of us had any idea this could happen to such a wonderful, kind and generous man."
As she's dealing with the great loss, Charo uses her own experience to remind everyone to pay extra care to their loved ones who are suffering from depression. "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. Thank you all so much for you love and concern. Thank you," she concluded.
Kjell, who had been married to Charo for more than 40 years since 1978, shot himself to death on Monday afternoon at their Beverly Hills home. Charo was reportedly home at the time and rode with Kjell in the ambulance.
The Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed they responded to a 911 call at the couple's home at 12:31 P.M. "Beverly Hills Police and Fire personnel attempted life-saving measures and transported the victim to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center," said a police spokesperson. "Shortly after 1:00 P.M., the male succumbed to his injuries. Preliminarily, investigators believe the death is a result of a suicide."
The statement continued, "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."
Kjell was a TV producer in the '70s and '80s, and went on to become her manager. They have one child together, son Shel Rasten, who was born in 1981. He is an actor, producer and the drummer for the heavy metal band Treazen.
Charo and Kjell appeared together in a 2015 episode of "Celebrity Wife Swap", where she swapped with her former "Love Boat" co-star Jill Whelan.
