Rose McGowan released a letter urging people not to assign blame in Anthony Bourdain's suicide _ and addressing the struggles endured by the famous chef and his girlfriend, Asia Argento.
McGowan described Bourdain's suicide as his own "horrible choice" and wrote that "his depression won" in the heart-wrenching letter.
"In the beginning of their relationship, Anthony told a mutual friend, 'He's never met anyone who wanted to die more than him.' And through a lot of this last year, Asia did want the pain to stop," McGowan writes in the letter, which was released Monday and obtained by the Daily News.
"But here's the thing, over their time together, thankfully, she did the work to get help, so she could stay alive and live another day for her and her children," she continues. "Anthony's depression didn't let him, he put down his armor, and that was very much his choice. His decision, not hers. His depression won."
She wrote of Bourdain, "I know before Anthony died he reached out for help, and yet he did not take the doctor's advice."
Argento asked McGowan to write the letter on behalf of her and "all who are hurting because of this unfathomable loss," she said in a statement accompanying McGowan's message. McGowan wrote that Bourdain's two years with Argento were "some of his happiest" and described them as having a "free relationship" that was "without borders of traditional relationships."
Argento and McGowan both accused Harvey Weinstein of rape and have been vocal advocates of the #MeToo movement. McGowan says in the letter that Argento has been though "more than most could stand."
"She stood up to her monster rapist and now she has to stand up to yet another monster, suicide," she wrote.
Bourdain was discovered dead in a French hotel room on Friday at the age of 61. A prosecutor has said the globetrotting foodie hanged himself with a bathrobe belt, and that there was no indication of foul play in his death.
Argento said in a statement Friday that she was "beyond devastated" by Bourdain's death.
Bourdain's ex-wife posted a photo Monday of their daughter Ariane, 11, performing at a concert while wearing boots her father had gotten her.
"Our little girl had her concert today," Ottavia Busia-Bourdain captioned the Instagram photo. "She was amazing. So strong and brave," the proud mom captioned the photo. "She wore the boots you bought her. I hope you are having a good trip, wherever you are."
