Ari Behn, Kevin Spacey #MeToo Accuser, Dies by Suicide at Age 47

Ari Behn, author and ex-husband of Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise, died by suicide on Christmas Day, according to family spokesman Geir Håkonsund. Behn was 47 years old.

“It is with great sadness in our hearts that we, the very closest relatives of Ari Behn, must announce that he took his own life today,” Håkonsund said in a statement yesterday. “We ask for respect for our privacy in the time to come.” 

Norwegian King Harald and Queen Sonja issued a statement today addressing Behn’s death, saying he was “an important part” of their family for many years:

We are grateful that we got to know him. We grieve that our grandchildren have now lost their beloved father — and have deep compassion for his parents and siblings, who have now lost their beloved son and brother.

Two years ago, Behn made headlines when he revealed he had been groped by former “House of Cards” actor Kevin Spacey.

“I have a little #MeToo story about Kevin Spacey,” Behn said in an interview with Norway’s radio P4. “We were having a nice chat where we spoke about theater and drama, and the little theater, the Wick, a theater in London. We had a good conversation sitting beside each other. After five minutes he said ‘Hey, let’s go out and have a cigarette,’ then he grabbed me under the table right in the balls.”

Behn was one of many men who accused Spacey of sexual harassment, assault or unwanted sexual advances when they were underage. As a result of these allegations, Spacey was fired from “House of Cards.”

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone. If you need support or want to connect with people who have been there, post a Thought or Question on The Mighty with the hashtag, #CheckInWithMe. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.