Michelle Dockery's Fiancé, John Dineen, Dies At 34

Heartbreaking news for Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery this week. On Sunday, Dockery's fiancé, John Dineen, died after battling a rare form of cancer. According to People, the actress (along with his family) was at Dineen's bedside at Ireland's Marymount Hospital when he passed away. He was 34.

The Irish Independent adds that Dineen, a Senior Director at FTI consulting, was diagnosed earlier this year and went to Germany seeking treatment, but ultimately ended up at home with his family in Ireland. Dockery first opened up about her relationship with Dineen in 2014, simply calling him a "a wonderful man in my life from Ireland." Rumors that they were engaged surfaced earlier this year when she reportedly showed off her ring on the Downton Abbey set, and although they were very private about their relationship, it seems obvious that they truly loved each other.

And as if this news can't get more devastating, Dockery's birthday is Tuesday, and she is reportedly making plans for a funeral service on Wednesday. It's never easy to lose someone you love, but this seems like an especially tough break.

Dockery has released the following statement to WENN: "The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private."