New York police and medical personnel, on Friday, responded to a call at Trump Tower for an overdose where the victim was later pronounced dead, New York police told The Hollywood Reporter.
The man was found lifeless by personnel after an emergency call was made around 9 a.m., police said.
Local news identified the man as the on-and-off again boyfriend of television personality Bethenny Frankel, 51-year-old Dennis Shields.
Shields’ ex-wife, Jill Schwartzberg, confirmed his death.
“Dennis’ family is devastated by this terrible news. He was a loving father and friend. We ask that the media respect our privacy during this time of loss,” Schwartzberg said in a statement.
Related Stories
No additional information was released. The investigation is ongoing.
Shields, a New York banker, had made brief appearances with Frankel on recent seasons of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City.
The reality star, and Skinnygirl founder, has eight-year-old daughter Bryn with ex-husband Jason Hoppy. She and Shields were longtime friends before they began dating in 2016.
Frankel opened up about the complicated relationship while appearing on The Steve Harvey Show in May. “I’ve been with someone on and off for years,” she said. “It’s like a partnership where if we’re not being teammates and it’s not working and one man is down, then the other man is down. We’re trying to really be good partners and be good teammates … Both partners have to say, ‘All right, I’m in it for this.'” Adding, “And I think we might be at that point, believe it or not.”
The following week, Frankel posted a picture on Instagram of Shields and her dog Cookie, who died last year. “Rest In Peace my sweet babies who gave me endless unconditional love. #nowandforever,” she wrote with the post.
Aug. 13, 10:40 a.m. Updated with Frankel’s Instagram post.
