SOAP star Eileen Davidson, one of the newest cast members of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” has been rocked by a double family tragedy.
The “Days of Our Lives” beauty, 55, lost her beloved sister Connie to cancer in March. Just weeks later, her niece Brooke Watkins, who had been battling addiction, died on May 11 at the age of 35. “It was an emotional one-two punch for Eileen,” a source close to the willowy blonde told The National ENQUIRER.
“First, Connie died after a seven-year battle with breast cancer on March 21. “Eileen posted a message on Twitter saying that she was at Connie’s bedside, along with her sister’s daughter.
“Then Brooke died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home.” Brooke, who lived in Irvine, Calif., apparently died of an overdose, sources claim. Toxicology reports are still pending. She leaves behind a daughter, 13, and a son, 10.
“It was a terrible spring for Eileen,” added the source. The heartbroken actress, who’s married to actor Vincent Van Patten, took a break from social media to deal with the tragedies.
On June 7, she returned to Twitter, posting a message that read: “I’ve been incommunicado. Dealing with family things after my sister passed in March. My sweet niece passed on Mother’s Day.”
Eileen originally joined the “Days” cast 21 years ago as villain Kristen DiMera, and won a Daytime Emmy for her role in the series in June. She’s also starred in “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Santa Barbara.”
She and former “Days” co-star Lisa Rinna, 51, have signed on for the upcoming Season 5 of “RHOBH” on Bravo. They will be joining returning cast members Lisa Vanderpump, Brandi Glanville, Kyle Richards, Kim Richards and Yolanda Foster.
But insiders wonder how the loss of Eileen’s beloved family members will impact her ability to deal with the series’ fireworks.
“The question is, will Eileen be ready to deal with all the drama that comes with ‘The Real Housewives’ – especially when she’s been dealing with these deaths in the family?” said the insider. “They could become part of the show’s storyline!”
