Holly Marie Combs pays tribute to late Charmed costar Shannen Doherty: 'A part of me is missing'

Holly Marie Combs is memorializing her dear friend and former Charmed castmate Shannen Doherty after her death from cancer at 53.

In a heartfelt Instagram post Monday, Combs shared a series of photos of herself with Doherty over the years and wrote about their long friendship.

"My better half of 31 years," Combs began the emotional tribute. "There is a hollow in my chest and I can't seem to catch my breath. A part of me is missing even though I know exactly what you would say to me right now. I know exactly what you would tell me to do right now."

Combs continued by promising that Doherty's "undying spirit" would live on on both her and her children, "who you loved as your own."

"They will walk with your sense of purpose and pride," she added. "They will be truthful and stand up for what is right. No matter what and zero f---s given. Your fire will live on in them and the many other Charmed ones you helped raise."

Combs ended the post by calling Doherty "a fierce fighter til the end," and her "most ardent champion."

"My loyal protector. My best friend," she wrote. "You taught me the meaning of family. You were and will be forevermore my sister. I love you."

Combs and Doherty were friends before they starred together as sisters on the first three seasons of Charmed in the late '90s, until Doherty's character was killed off. The actresses remained close friends for decades after, and even recorded five episodes of the Charmed rewatch podcast House of Halliwell with Drew Fuller before Doherty's death. (The episodes will be released at a later date.)

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Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After undergoing chemotherapy, she disclosed in April 2017 that her cancer was in remission. She had a single mastectomy in 2016 and underwent breast reconstruction in 2018, but in 2020 she revealed that her cancer had returned. She continued working while fighting the disease and hosted the podcast Let's Be Clear With Shannen Doherty, on which she discussed her career and spoke frankly about how breast cancer affected her life.

Doherty's publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that the actress died Saturday and added, "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace."