Liz and Damian Hurley break their silence on Steve Bing's confirmed suicide
Liz Hurley has shared a heartfelt message about her ex-partner, Steve Bing, who was found dead in Los Angeles at just 55-years-old.
Bing, who made his mark as a filmmaker, was best known for his work on movies including Kangaroo Jack, which he co-wrote, and for financing films including The Polar Express, starring Tom Hanks.
He was the father of Hurley’s 18-year-old son Damien after the pair dated for 18 months in 2000 and 2001.
Sharing a gallery of pictures of them when they were a pair, she said she will remember her ex-partner as a “sweet, kind man”.
“I am saddened beyond belief that my ex Steve is no longer with us. It is a terrible end,” she wrote.
“Our time together was very happy and I’m posting these pictures because although we went through some tough times, it’s the good, wonderful memories of a sweet, kind man that matter.
“In the past year we had become close again. We last spoke on our son’s 18th birthday. This is devastating news and I thank everyone for their lovely messages.”
Their son Damian also shared his own message.
He posted a snap of a sunset on Instagram and thanked everyone for their messages during a “very strange and confusing time.”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has reached out following the devastating news,” it read.
“I’m trying to reply to as many of you as I can, but please know I will always remember your kindness.
“This is a very strange and confusing time and I’m immensely grateful to be surrounded by my phenomenal family and friends.”
Former US president Bill Clinton also took to social media to share a few words about his friend.
“I loved Steve Bing very much. He had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in,” he said.
“I will miss him and his enthusiasm more than I can say, and I hope he’s finally found peace.”
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they were investigating the death of a man found in Century City.
The coroner said a man was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.10 pm local time on Monday.
Bing was destined for great things when he dropped out of Stanford at just 18, after inheriting a whopping US$600 million from his grandfather, Leo S Bing, who was a successful real estate developer.
His Hollywood career skyrocketed when he co-wrote the 2003 comedy Kangaroo Jack while reportedly investing $US80 million in the 2004 animated film The Polar Express.
Bing was the founder of Shangri-La Entertainment, an organisation which had interests in property, construction, entertainment and music.
His name is listed on the Giving Pledge website, a project launched in 2010 by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
The pledge asks the super-rich to give away the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.