Jessica Castro has spoken up about her ex-husband Ryan de Nino's sudden death at 40. The former spouses appeared in 'Married at First Sight' S2, but the marriage ended with a restraining order.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleJessica Castro has spoken out following the sudden death of her former husband and Married at First Sight co-star, Ryan De Nino. De Nino, who appeared on Season 2 of the Lifetime reality series, died suddenly in New Jersey earlier this week. His family has not publicly disclosed what exactly caused the 40-year-old reality TV star's death.
De Nino and Castro had appeared together on MAFS Season 2 and tied the knot. Still, the marriage eventually fell apart, ending with a restraining order after Ryan allegedly threatened to kill her.
Ryan's sudden death was confirmed by his sister, Melissa De Nino, who shared the news on Facebook, remembering him as “funny and witty” and “fiercely loyal to those he loved.” Shortly after the news circulated online, a fan commented on Jessica's social media, questioning why she had seemingly not commented on her ex-husband's passing.
Castro responded to the comment on Instagram, explaining that she had known about De Nino's death before the news became public but deliberately chose not to say anything. She wrote:
"It was never my place to say anything, even though I knew prior to it being out in the public. I’m giving his family the respect and privacy that they deserve."
She later shared the exchange on her Instagram Stories, reiterating the reason behind her decision to remain silent.
Castro had previously spoken to Page Six about the death, making clear that she and De Nino had not been in contact for years. “Yes, unfortunately it’s true. I heard the news yesterday,” she told the publication. Sending her condolences to De Nino's grieving family, she said:
"I have not had contact with Ryan in years, so I have/had no idea what his life entailed. However, I do send my sincerest condolences to his family during this very difficult time. I cannot imagine what they are going through. May he rest peacefully."
While Castro maintained her distance from the family's announcement, De Nino's sister Melissa publicly remembered her brother. Sharing childhood photographs on Facebook, Melissa reflected on the unique bond between siblings who grow up sharing the same memories. Her emotional message reads:
"Ryan was so damn funny and witty. He was fiercely loyal to those he loved. He had a huge heart, always. I can’t explain what it’s like to lose a sibling. Someone who’s been there from the beginning and shares the same memories. No matter what we were going through, I loved him immensely. Life as I know it will never be the same."
De Nino and Castro met for the first time at the altar more than a decade ago, during Season 2 of Married at First Sight, a reality show where strangers were legally married after being matched by the show's experts. Despite experiencing difficulties during their six-week experiment, the pair decided to remain married on Decision Day.
Their marriage, however, did not last. In 2015, the couple separated, and their split quickly became one of the most controversial relationships in the show's early history. Castro subsequently sought a restraining order against De Nino, alleging that he had even made death threats against her and members of her family. However, Ryan disputed the allegations, saying that he was "in awe" and "disgusted."
The situation also became a major storyline around the Season 2 reunion. Castro's attorney said at the time that protecting her safety and well-being was the priority.
What do you think of Jessica Castro's message to her late ex?
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