Longtime Friend Speaks Out on Late Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff's Disease That 'Ravaged' Her Body

Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff's tragic passing has left many in shock. Now, a longtime friend shares new details about the health struggles that plagued her in the years before her death.

Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff's longtime friend, Terry Ahern, is shedding light on the health struggles that tormented her in the years leading up to her passing.

Terry, who worked closely with the actress for over a decade, revealed that Pamela battled severe arthritis stemming from an accident that left lasting damage. "Pam's body was ravaged from arthritis caused by the accident. It continued to spread and wreak havoc," he said.

Pamela was found dead in her Los Angeles home on March 5. The L.A. Medical Examiner later ruled her death a suicide, leaving those close to her stunned. Terry, who last spoke to her a few months prior, recalled how excited she was about her granddaughter, London, born to her daughter Taylor in August.

"She was just over the moon being a grandmother — over the moon," he recalled. Her unexpected passing left him in disbelief. "She was the last person in the world I would think [would do that]," he said. "It's a shock."

According to Terry, Pamela's health struggles began in 2003 when she and her then-husband, David Hasselhoff, were involved in a serious motorcycle crash. The accident left her hospitalized with a broken neck and back, forcing her to spend months in intensive care as she recovered from crushed bones.

Over the years, complications from her injuries took their toll. "That plagued her — the arthritis from it," Ahern explained. "Because that stuff catches up to you when you get older — injuries that are [from] earlier, arthritis sets in…"

Despite her struggles, Pamela remained surrounded by love. Best known for her roles in "Knight Rider" and "Baywatch," she built a strong network of friends who adored her. Her death has left many grappling with the pain of losing someone who seemed so full of life.

As previously reported, law enforcement sources told TMZ that concerned family members went to her home after being unable to reach her. They arrived to find the house locked and discovered her inside.

Emergency responders were called to the residence shortly after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, following a report of an unconscious woman.

Paramedics pronounced Pamela dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. No note was found at the scene.

Pamela shared two daughters with David — Taylor and Hayley. Both daughters have pursued careers in the entertainment industry, following in their parents' footsteps. Pamela was also a grandmother to her first and only granddaughter, London.

Following news of her passing, Pamela's representative, Sharon Kelly, spoke to TMZ, sharing her heartbreak over the sudden loss. Kelly described Pamela as a "Force of Nature" and said, "She will be missed."

Kelly went on to express her sympathies to Pamela's family, including her daughters and granddaughter, saying, "My heart goes out to her family, her beautiful daughters and granddaughter who Pamela constantly gushes about and loves so dearly."

Pamela often spoke about her pride in her daughters' accomplishments and the joy she felt as a grandmother. Just months before her passing, she shared a heartfelt Instagram post on December 28, 2024, celebrating her first Christmas with her granddaughter, London.

In the post, Pamela wrote, "Merry (Belated) Christmas!" along with, "Even though My Precious Grandaughter [sic] - London may not remember it yet, our first Christmas with her was absolutely magical. The day was filled with love, joy, and precious moments with family. We cherish these wonderful memories we made."

The post featured photos of Pamela embracing her granddaughter, surrounded by her daughters and other family members. Her caption continued with warm holiday wishes, saying, "Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and a very Happy New Year!"

Pamela's connection to family extended to moments she shared with her ex-husband. In May 2023, an Instagram post resurfaced showing Pamela and David attending the grand opening of "Jurassic Park: The Ride" on June 15, 1996.

The nostalgic post captured a happier time when the former couple was still together, enjoying the public spotlight. Their daughter Hayley later reposted the throwback to her Instagram Story, highlighting the significance of those shared memories.

Beyond her personal life, Pamela built a successful acting career, earning international recognition. She was honored with Germany's Otto Award, recognizing her as one of the country's favorite actresses. Pamela became one of the rare performers to appear on two television shows at the same time, balancing roles on "Baywatch" and "Sirens."

On "Baywatch," Pamela portrayed Kaye Morgan, a caring café owner who often stepped in to help the show's iconic lifeguard team. On "Sirens," she took on a more serious role as Ellen Baskin, a no-nonsense police psychologist. Both characters allowed Pamela to showcase her range, and her work on "Baywatch" spanned a decade.

Pamela also appeared in films including "Castle Rock" (2000) and "More Than Puppy Love" (2002), acting alongside industry veterans like Ernest Borgnine and Diane Ladd. Earlier in her career, she landed a role in Francis Ford Coppola's "Rumble Fish" (1983), which marked her official film debut.

Pamela's personal and professional journey often unfolded in the public eye, particularly after her marriage to David ended. The couple's divorce was finalized on July 26, 2006, after 16 years of marriage. Both cited irreconcilable differences.

At the time, Pamela expressed her feelings to the Associated Press, saying, "I've always loved him and always will, and have love and compassion for him. It's a very, very sad day, but a day to move on."

The court awarded the former couple joint custody of their daughters, who were both teenagers at the time.

The tragic passing of Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff marks a difficult chapter for her loved ones and a sorrowful moment for those who followed her career. As the family navigates this time of mourning, they have asked for space to grieve in private.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.