Because of his religious beliefs, an autopsy could not be done, so no one will ever know what killed Dennis Shields.
Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, MD, PhD, said in a statement on Wednesday, August 29-
“An OCME autopsy was not performed in this case due to a religious objection, upheld by law in such instances where no criminality is suspected”
On August 10, it was discovered that Shields, who had dated Bethenny Frankel on and off for years, had passed away in his apartment in Trump Tower in New York City from what appeared to be an overdose of prescription drugs. Shields was reportedly “the nicest person in the building,” according to a source who spoke to Us at the time.
“He always stopped to say hello to police stationed at the tower and was so friendly,” the source explained. “Not many residents in that building say hi to people who work there, but Dennis was always different.”
The funeral for the businessman was held on Long Island, New York, three days after he passed away. The star of The Real Housewives of New York City, who has known Shields and his family for more than twenty years, was present at the event.
A source told Us Weekly exclusively on August 16 that the 47-year-old is “absolutely devastated” after losing Shields, who proposed to her in April.
“She lost her best friend, her partner, her business partner. He’s family. His family is her family,” the source explained. “She is living her life because there is nothing else to do. You have to go on. Everyone experiences loss and the only think you can do is pick yourself up and go on.”
The information that Frankel has not yet signed on for season 11 of RHONY, which is scheduled to begin shooting around the time of Labor Day, was shared exclusively by Us earlier this month. The creator of Skinny Girl has, however, gradually returned to social media and updated her admirers about how she is coping with the aftermath of the scandal.
She tweeted on Sunday, August 26 –
“It’s hard to breathe & I appreciate you giving me the space & support to try to do so. It’s excruciating-sudden death is no closure & constant ?s & memories” “Our relationship is current so it’s painfully raw. Trying to stay healthy & move through it w tears & close friends. Xo.”
