Jessica Castro, ex-wife of the late Ryan de Nino, has offered more insight following the "Married at First Sight" star's unexpected death. De Nino died "suddenly" earlier this week in New Jersey at the age of 40, according to a family source who spoke to TMZ.
Castro confirmed the news on Saturday, responding to a fan on Instagram who inquired about her silence. "Yes, unfortunately it’s true. I heard the news yesterday," Castro wrote. "It was never my place to say anything, even though I knew prior to it being out in the public. I’m giving his family the respect and privacy that they deserve."
She had previously told Page Six on Friday evening that she had "not had contact with Ryan in years so I have/had no idea what his life entailed." She added, "However, I do send my sincerest condolences to his family during this very difficult time. I can not imagine what they are going through. May he rest peacefully."
De Nino's sister, Melissa de Nino, also shared a tribute on Facebook, remembering him as "fiercely loyal" with a "huge heart." "I can’t explain what it’s like to lose a sibling," she wrote. "No matter what we were going through, I loved him immensely. Life as I know it will never be the same."
Castro and de Nino, who met and married on Season 2 of "Married at First Sight," divorced in 2015. Their split became contentious after Castro filed for a restraining order against de Nino. At the time, court filings alleged that de Nino made death threats against Castro and her family. Castro also alleged that during a "Married at First Sight" reunion taping, de Nino was heard on a hot mic saying, "She’s f–king dead. When I get back to Brooklyn, she’s f–king dead, this girl."