Denise Richards is mourning the loss of her "best friend" Patrick Muldoon, who died unexpectedly on Sunday 19 April at the age of 57. The actor, known for roles in Melrose Place and Starship Troopers, suffered an apparent heart attack.
Richards, 55, and Muldoon met when she was 19 and he was 21, after being placed in the same acting class. They later co-starred in Starship Troopers and dated for several years in the 1990s before remaining close friends. Their last public appearance together was on 8 March at the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards in Los Angeles.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday 21 April, Richards shared a video montage of photographs alongside a lengthy tribute. She described Muldoon as her "best friend & my family", adding: "The friendship, love, support, respect & loyalty we had was unconditional and rare. You lit up every room you walked into. You are larger than life & Everyone was drawn to you."
She reflected on their more than three decades of friendship, saying: "We've been each other's rock. Our memories together are endless. You've had my back and protected me more than anyone. I don't know what I'm going to do without you here." Her words appeared to reference her recent split from Aaron Phypers, whom she has accused of physical abuse: "You're my voice of reason & pillar of strength. Especially during this last year of pain & heartache."
Richards' daughter Lola, from her marriage to Charlie Sheen, also paid tribute. Lola wrote that she had always hoped her mother and Muldoon would reunite, but added: "I guess staying best friends was better anyways." She said she would miss hearing her mother laugh on the phone with him and thanked him for being "the one to make her laugh and forget about all she's going through."
Richards concluded her tribute with the affectionate nickname "Schweetbabe", promising to look for signs from him. She wrote: "I need to know you're still here with me. I love you so much & miss you dearly schweetbabe."
