Jim Carrey responds to wrongful death lawsuit: 'What a terrible shame'

ET Online     MEREDITH B. KILE      September 20th 2016 
Jim Carrey has responded to a lawsuit filed on Monday, accusing him of wrongfully providing the drugs that led to the Sept. 2015 death of his girlfriend, Cathriona White.

"What a terrible shame," Carrey said in a statement to ET. "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 honor against the evil in this world."

White, 30, was found dead in her home on Sept. 28, 2015, following a drug overdose. A toxicology report found four prescription drugs in her system: a mix of painkillers, beta blockers and a sleep aid. Her death was officially ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office in July of this year.

WATCH: Carrey Jim Sued for Wrongful Death by Late Girlfriend Cathriona White's Estranged Husband

"I will not tolerate this heartless attempt to exploit me or the woman I loved," Carrey's statement concluded. "Cat's troubles were born long before I met her and sadly her tragic end was beyond anyone's control. I really hope that some day soon people will stop trying to profit from this and let her rest in peace."

The lawsuit, filed by White's estranged husband, Mark Burton, alleges that Carrey obtained drugs illegally under the false name of "Arthur King" and provided them to White.
the name "Arthur King." The coroner also reported finding a text on White's phone from Carrey the night before she died, asking if she knew where certain painkillers prescribed to him went.

According to the autopsy report obtained by ET, three of the prescriptions found at White's residence were prescribed under the name Arthur King.

In addition to seeking recovery for economic and emotional damages, Burton's attorney, Michael Avenatti, tells ET they are also looking for criminal action to be taken.
"We will be calling for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office to investigate Mr. Carrey's role in connection with the death of Cathriona White," Avenatti said.

Carrey spoke to ET in a statement shortly after White's death, saying, "She was a truly kind and delicate Irish flower, too sensitive for this soil, to whom loving and being loved was all that sparkled. My heart goes out to her family and friends and to everyone who loved and cared about her."