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Benedict Cumberbatch writes to family of late 'Sherlock' fan

The actor previously sent the teenage fan a signed photo wishing her well.

By Annie Martin
Benedict Cumberbatch sent a touching letter to the family of late 'Sherlock' fan Eve Shepherd. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 5 | Benedict Cumberbatch sent a touching letter to the family of late 'Sherlock' fan Eve Shepherd. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

WARRINGTON, England, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Benedict Cumberbatch recently penned a tribute to late Sherlock fan Eve Shepherd.

The 38-year-old actor wrote a touching letter expressing his sympathy for the 14-year-old's family. Shepherd died after a lifetime struggle with breathing problems and more than 200 operations, and Cumberbatch's note was read aloud at her funeral this week.

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"I send my deepest sympathies to Eve's family. To lose someone so young who fought for her health all her life must be beyond endurance. I hope they can take solace from the fact that she was clearly much loved and her support of our show is hugely appreciated and shall be remembered. I wish I could be there but sadly am filming the show she loved. God rest her soul. With all my love and sympathies, Benedict xxx."

Cumberbatch previously sent the teenager a signed photo "wishing her well and saying that he wanted to meet her," father Mark Shepherd revealed to People. Shepherd told the magazine receiving the letter was "absolutely unbelievable," and said his daughter would have been "jumping for joy."

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"For him to have spent time to write to us and to comfort us in such a very difficult time is incredible," he marveled. "We knew that he was a lovely man before, but to spend time when he was getting married and was so busy with the Oscars and the BAFTAs and everything else is amazing."

Cumberbatch and theater director Sophie Hunter announced they are expecting their first child in January, and married earlier this month. The actor was nominated at the 2014 BAFTA Awards for his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, and again at the 2015 Academy Awards on Sunday.

Cumberbatch will reprise Sherlock Holmes for a Sherlock Christmas special in December, and return for a fourth season in 2016. The actor is also scheduled for Black Mass with Johnny Depp, Marvel film Doctor Strange and a voice role in Jungle Book: Origins.

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