Speaking at a roundtable discussion on Grief, Healing and Resilience at the Women's Conference 2009 in Long Beach, California, Lisa Niemi said that her loss is "like an animal all of its own".

Even though during his final months she told him several times daily, "I love you," Niemi said "I've spent two thirds of my life with him ... My regret is that I didn't tell him that I loved him enough over that entire 34 years."
In the six weeks since the actor's death, Niemi said a close knit group of friends has helped her hold it together.

"I have a few girlfriends that are just amazing. They have made themselves available to me 24/7. They say, 'We don't care if it's 2 in the morning, call me,'" said Niemi.