Jim Carrey has issued a powerful statement in response to a wrongful death lawsuit over the suicide of his ex-girlfriend Cathriona White. Mark Burton, Cathriona's estranged husband, this week lodged a formal complaint claiming that the actor used his "immense wealth and celebrity status" to illegally obtain and distribute the prescription drugs involved in Cathriona's death. But the star has absolutely refuted the allegations.
"What a terrible shame. It would be easy for me to get in a back room with this man's lawyer and make this go away, but there are some moments in life when you have to stand up and defend your honour against the evil in the world," Jim, 54, said in a statement obtained by People.
Jim Carrey pictured at Cathriona's funeral in October 2015
"I will not tolerate this heartless attempt to exploit me or the woman I loved. Cat's troubles were born long before I met her and sadly her tragic end was beyond anyone's control."
The Man on the Moon actor, who had split from Cathriona a week before her death, concluded: "I really hope that some day soon people will stop trying to profit from this, and let her rest in peace."
Cathriona, who dated Jim off-and-on for three years, tragically took her own life in September 2015, aged 30. A toxicology report confirmed that she had a number of prescription pills in her system at the time of her death – none of which had been prescribed to her.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCathriona tragically took her own life last year, aged 30
Mr Burton's wrongful death law suit alleges that the drugs were obtained by Jim under the alias Arthur King. The complaint also claims that Jim sent a "bogus text" to Cathriona on the day before her body was found asking about the whereabouts of the pills "in an effort to cover up his conduct and complicity in her death".
Mr Burton further alleges that Jim had an "obsession with controlling and manipulating" Cathriona, and "had the ability to monitor surveillance cameras on a home White often stayed at and was able, by design, to view the residence remotely to keep track of White's comings and goings".
The lawsuit - for violation of the drug dealer liability act and wrongful death - seeks unspecified damages as well as reimbursement for funeral expenses and attorney fees.
