One Tree Hill actor Paul Teal’s cause of death has been revealed after his tragic death aged 35.
Teal – who played movie star Josh Avery in season seven of the WB series in 2009, passed away November 15 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, with his death announced by his fiancee Emilia Torello in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Teal was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer just seven months before his death in April 2024, Torello told TMZ.
He died in hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Torello said she believed that Teal – despite his devastating diagnosis – could beat the disease due to his tenacity.
She said: ‘He was the most talented man I’ve ever met. When he set his mind to something, there was no stopping him. He was the most diligent and dedicated person. I truly believed with all of my heart that he would come out the other side of this because of those traits. That’s what makes this loss even more tragic.’
She revealed he had filmed a brand new series for Starz, The Hunting Wives. during his cancer battle – and said being on set with his colleagues helped him fight his cancer.
Torello announced his death in an Instagram post on Sunday.
She wrote: ‘The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024.
‘Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future. You filled my lungs with laughter, my stomach with butterflies, and my heart with love. You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail.
‘While a part of me died with you, I promise to fight to find joy in life as hard as you fought to live every single day.
‘The world is lucky to have even had a moment with Paul Teal, and I am the luckiest person in it, because I got to call you mine. I will love you forever.’
His former co-star Bethany Joy Lenz – who played Haley James Scott on the show – posted a tribute on November 17 saying she is ‘gutted’ by the loss.
She wrote: ‘My heart is heavy. Paul Teal was the kind of guy who lit up a room without trying. His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be near him.