Fiance of 'Downton Abbey' star Michelle Dockery dies at 34

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery is mourning her fiance after he died on Sunday at a hospice in Cork, Ireland. John Dineen, a public relations director for a consulting firm, was 34.

"The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private,” reads a statement issued to USA TODAY by publicity rep Joanne Sear on behalf of the actress.

Dineen was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare form of cancer, reports People. Dockery and Dineen started dating in late 2013 after being introduced by Irish Downton Abbey star Allen Leech.

Dockery, who turned 34 on Tuesday, plays Lady Mary Crawley on the period drama. Her character suffered the loss of her husband in a car accident on the show's season 3 finale.