Author Ari Behn has died, marking the third passing in 2019 of a person who publicly accused actor Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct or assault.

The 47-year-old, who was previously married to Norwegian princess Martha Louise, died by suicide on Christmas Day, family spokesman Geir Håkonsund told CNN: "It is with great sadness in our hearts that we, the very closest relatives of Ari Behn, must announce that he took his own life today," the statement read. "We ask for respect for our privacy in the time to come."

His death comes two years after he spoke openly on a Norwegian radio station about an alleged encounter with Spacey that transpired when the actor hosted a Nobel Prize concert.

"I have a little #MeToo story about Kevin Spacey," Behn said in late 2017, becoming one of the 15 individuals to come forward with disturbing claims against Spacey. "We were having a nice chat where we spoke about theater and drama, and the little theater, the Wick, a theater in London. We had a good conversation sitting beside each other. After five minutes he said 'Hey, let's go out and have a cigarette,' then he grabbed me under the table right in the balls."

PHOTOS: Ari Behn with his ex and children

17 PHOTOS Ari Behn with his ex-wife and children See Gallery Ari Behn with his ex-wife and children NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: Norway's Princess Martha Louise with daughter Maud Angelica and husband Ari Behn hold a press conference in Central Park's Sheep's Meadow to announce their move to New York City on October 11, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) Ari Behn Attends The Celebrations In Trondheim For The Centennial Anniversary Of King Haakon Vii & Queen Maud'S Coronation, Which Took Place On 22 June 1906.Arrival At The Britannia Hotel. (Photo by Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Princess Martha Louise, Ari Behn, Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora and Emma Tallulah in Southwark Park as they celebrate Norway National Day on May 17, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Ari Behn and Leah Isadora in Southwark Park as they celebrate Norway National Day on May 17, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) Princess Martha Louise, And Husband Ari Behn Attending A Concert To Mark The 10Th Wedding Anniversary Of Crown Prince Haakon, And Crown Princess Mette-Marit Of Norway At University Square In Oslo. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images) Princess Martha Louise, Ari Behn & Daughters Maud Angelica & Leah Isadora Attend King Harald Of Norway'S 70Th Birthday Celebrations.Sleigh Ride In Sollihogda Near Oslo. . (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images) STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN- APRIL 30: Princess Martha Louise of Norway, and husband Ari Behn attend a Lunch at City Hall Stockholm, on the occasion of King Carl Gustaf of Sweden's 70th Birthday, on April 30, 2016, in Stockholm, Sweden.(Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images) SWEDEN - JUNE 18: Dinner hosted by the governement of Sweden in Honor for the wedding of H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling In Stockholm, Sweden On June 18, 2010-Princess Martha Louise of Norways and Ari Behn. (Photo by Pool BENAINOUS/HOUNSFIELD/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Ari Behn & Daughter Maud Angelica Attend The Wedding Of Ar Behn'S Parents, Olav Bjorshol & Marianne Behn At East Fredrikstad Church In Fredrikstad, Norway.Married Again After Having Been Divorced Since 1982. . (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) OSLO, NORWAY - AUGUST 25: Mr Ari Behn of Norway attend a celebration on the occasion of the Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's 10th wedding anniversary at the university on August 25, 2011 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Nigel Waldron/Getty Images) Princess Martha Louise Of Norway With Husband Ari Behn, And Their Children, ( L To R ) Emma Tallulah, Leah Isadora. Appear On The Balcony Of The Royal Palace, Oslo To Celebrate The 75Th Birthday Year Of The King & Queen Of Norway. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images) STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 13: Princess Maertha Louise of Norway and husband Ari Behn attend the royal wedding of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist at The Royal Palace on June 13, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images) STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 08: Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Ari Mikael Behn attend the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill hosted by King Carl Gustaf XIV and Queen Silvia at The Royal Palace on June 8, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 08: Princess Martha Louise and Ari Behn attend the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill hosted by King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia at The Royal Palace on June 8, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images) STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 07: Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Ari Mikael Behn attend a private dinner on the eve of the wedding of Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at The Grand Hotel on June 7, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage) Princess Martha Louise Of Norway, And Husband Ari Behn Arrive Arrive For The Christening Of Princess Estelle At The Royal Chapel, In The Royal Palace In Stockholm. (Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images) OSLO, NORWAY - MARCH 04: Ari Behn attends the Men's Relay 4x10km Classic/Free race during the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 at Holmenkollen on March 4, 2011 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Ragnar Singsaas/WireImage) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

Behn was one of the more high-profile people to speak up about Spacey; many of his other accusers were anonymous, including several "House of Cards" staffers, and at least one accuser was underage.

Earlier this year, Spacey whistleblower Linda Culkin died at 59 after being struck by a car. Months later, a massage therapist who accused Spacey of sexual battery and assault also died suddenly.

The criminal case against Spacey has all but dried up: Los Angeles prosecutors shut down the sexual battery case after the accuser died, and separately, Massachusetts prosecutors have dropped the criminal case related to an incident with a then-teenager.

Spacey seemingly considers himself in the clear and has recently released videos teasing his return to the spotlight. "The next time someone does something you don't like, you can go on the attack," he says in one clip. "But you can also hold your fire and do the unexpected. You can ... kill them with kindness."

Behn and Princess Martha wed in 2002 and separated in 2016. They shared three daughters: Maud, 16, Leah, 14, and Emma, 11.The Norwegian King and Queen also released a statement about their former son-in-law, calling him an "important part of our family for many years, and we carry warm, fond memories of him."

"We are grateful that we got to know him," the statement continued. "We grieve that our grandchildren have now lost their beloved father — and have deep compassion for his parents and siblings, who have now lost their beloved son and brother.”