Andrew Stern's family is mourning their loss, after the husband of Deal or No Deal model Katie Cleary committed suicide on June 22. Stern's family spoke to Us Weekly on Wednesday, June 25, about the "unwanted attention" surrounding their loved one's death.
"It's extremely upsetting that our family's private tragedy has become public, and we’d like to ask the media to please respect our privacy as we grieve our only son," a rep for Stern's family tells Us Weekly in a statement.
"This unwanted attention has resulted in several false and hurtful speculations that do not truthfully describe the devoted, unselfish, accomplished and proud man Andrew was," the statement continues, adding, "Andrew was an adored son, cherished friend, successful businessman, adventurous athlete, passionate animal rights activist and humanitarian. No one is without flaws, but Andrew was a giving and generous spirit who touched so many lives in a positive way. For those of us who loved him, there will never be an answer to 'why?' We choose to honor his memory by remembering how he lived, not how he died."
On Tuesday, June 24, news broke that Stern shot himself in the head, generating rumors that Cleary's husband was upset after photos of his model wife surfaced with Leonardo DiCaprio and Adrian Grenier.
A spokesperson for Cleary told Us Weekly on Tuesday, "Any rumors of any kind of extra-marital relationship are entirely fabricated and completely false,"adding that Cleary's interaction with DiCaprio at Gotha nightclub on May 19 in Cannes, "was fully for the purpose of potential collaboration for environmental and animal welfare issues."
The rep also revealed Cleary and Stern had been separated, but remained "amicable."
