A friend of late actress Shannen Doherty has spoken out against the “Charmed” star’s husband, Kurt Iswarienko. Doherty’s friend accused him of lacking “humanity,” and the public agreed with the sentiment.
Taking to social media to vent about her beloved friend’s death, business consultant Tara Furiani posted a message on LinkedIn on July 14. She insinuated that Hollywood star Shannen Doherty, who sadly passed away on July 13, experienced extra stress and turmoil as a result of her husband’s actions, which many people online are backing up.
Kurt Iswarienko at the Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) event in Los Angeles, California on September 9, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
At the beginning of her message, Furiani expressed how heartbroken she is over Doherty’s passing. She then added that the reason she finds herself so upset is that Doherty had been going through a tumultuous divorce from her husband Kurt Iswarienko.
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at the TCA winter press tour – We TV “Family Affair” dinner in Pasadena, California on January 13, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Continuing her statement, Furiani, who is also a YouTuber, divulged, “She had stage 4 breast cancer that [had] metastasized to numerous parts of her body, death was inevitable and she knew that… made peace with that.”
Shannen Doherty at the Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) event in Los Angeles, California on September 9, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Furiani then dropped a bombshell. “But, her pain and suffering in the months preceding it didn’t have to be so profound if her husband was just a decent human being. Could have just displayed a little humanity to his dying wife,” she revealed.
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko at the Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) event in Los Angeles, California on September 9, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Doherty’s friend then went on to emphasize how hard life is on its own and even harder with cancer. Adding extra salt to the wound, according to Furiani, is the fact that Doherty battled cancer without the type of support that is generally expected from one’s spouse.
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at American Cancer Society’s Giants of Science Los Angeles Gala in Los Angeles, California on November 5, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Ending her message with a call-to-action addressed to the public, Furiani pleaded, “If you have the opportunity to be a decent person, take it. You have no idea what people are dealing with and going through.”
Shannen Doherty at American Cancer Society’s Giants of Science Los Angeles Gala in Los Angeles, California on November 5, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
She also urged that women ensure they get themselves screened when going for their medical check-ups writing, “Early detection is critical #notthehrlady #cancer #kindness #divorce.”
Shannen Doherty at the Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) event in Los Angeles, California on September 9, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Many have reacted to Furiani’s emotional LinkedIn message, commending the YouTuber for sticking up for Doherty. “Good. Someone needed to. Sounded like a real piece of work,” wrote an Instagrammer.
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty on their way to John Varvatos’ 7th Annual Stuart House Benefit in West Hollywood, California on March 8, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
Another chimed in, calling Iswarienko a “Dirt bag.” Expressing a similar sentiment, someone else criticized, “I mean, he looks like a total weasel,” while an observer questioned, “Is he even human?”
Kurt Iswarienko at GQ’s The Gentlemen’s Ball in New York City on October 27, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Another social media user highlighted their hope that Iswarienko would receive repercussions for his behavior. They penned, “I pray karma is swift for him.” “Absolutely disgusting behavior from him. No humanity whatsoever,” echoed someone else.
Kurt Iswarienko spotted out in Los Angeles, California on March 26, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
One person on Instagram who felt particularly strongly about the ordeal commented, “He made her life so terrible he didn’t care […] while she was battling cancer and he didn’t care about her after she passed all he cared about was the money I’m so glad that she divorced him before she passed because now [she] has peace from his not so nice behavior.”
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko spotted out in Los Angeles, California on April 15, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
To make matters worse, Iswarienko had stalled giving Doherty the spousal support the late actress requested when she filed for divorce from him in April 2023 after he allegedly cheated on her.
She had asked him to pay $15,343 in monthly spousal support. Doherty also requested additional amounts of $9,100 for attorney fees and $11,800 to cover other legal proceedings.
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at The Art of Elysium’s 3rd Annual Black Tie Charity Gala in Beverly Hills, California on January 16, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
However, Iswarienko would not budge. Court documents from June of this year (2024) show that the photographer (Iswarienko) did not hand over the financial information that Doherty needed access to. This info consisted of an archive of original photography work that he had done.
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty spotted out in Los Angeles, California on March 26, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Doherty claimed that Kurt Iswarienko had been dragging his feet with the requests because he was waiting for her to continue getting progressively sicker from her terminal cancer.
“It is simply not right that Kurt be permitted to prolong our divorce in hopes that I die before he is required to pay me while he continues to live his life […],” the former “Beverly Hills, 90210” star asserted.
Kurt Iswarienko spotted out in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Furiani doubled down on Shannen Doherty’s claims, expressing, “Shan lost everything (including SAG insurance) and her husband was dragging his feet with income discovery in court, in an effort to delay a judgment or payment, until she died.”
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty spotted out in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
However, Iswarienko’s legal team had refuted these allegations, claiming that Doherty’s estranged husband had, in fact, offered a settlement deal as early as October 2023, just a few months after Doherty had filed for divorce.