'One Tree Hill' 's Bevin Prince Says Hilarie Burton Drove 'Overnight' to See Her After Husband Died

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty for Savannah College of Art and Design; David Becker/Getty for iHeartRadio

Bevin Princeis opening up for the first time about the death of her late husband,William Friend.

TheOne Tree Hillalum, 40, recalled how she navigated the “absolute living nightmare” of her husband’sdeath at age 33in July, and how her fellowOTHcostarHilarie Burton-Morganwas there to support her.

“Hilarie got in her car when she found out my husband had passed and drove straight to my house overnight,” she said as she appeared Friday on the1on1 with Jon Evanspodcast. “She showed up on my door, and she was like, ‘Okay, what can I do?’

“And she sat with me, and she was just, once again, showing me what a special human she is. Her intention for being there was just to help in any way possible. It wasn’t, ‘Look at how good I am. Look at what I’m doing for you.’ And I’m just eternally grateful,” Prince added.

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Prince noted that their fellowOTHalum Lee Norris also came to show his support.

The actress recalled that the day Friend died over July 4 weekend as “like any other day that we’ve done a million times,” adding: “The storm was far away, we’re on the boat, everything’s fine. And then in an instant… everything has changed. There’s no normal, and there’s no playbook for it.”

“In my mind, there was absolutely nothing that could have been done. And I have to accept that this is larger than me and my understanding at this time,” Prince said.

One Tree Hillcast.Everett Collection

At his celebration of life, which took place the next weekend on his birthday, friends showed up from all over the world, and Prince noted that Friend was “the most fiercely loyal person I have ever met in my life.”

Prince said speaking at the ceremony was difficult, but she “felt, in my bones, Will holding me up.” She added that she continues to feel an undeniable spiritual connection to her husband, whom she married in May 2016.

“I know that he can hear me, and I can feel him. There have been way too many things that have happened that are just divine, and I know he’s there. It’s not a question,” Prince said, adding that he’s “played pranks on me. I know he’s trying to get me to expand even quicker.”

Prince explained when she realized that Friend’s death was “so much bigger than me,” she was able to process the loss.

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source: people.com