The fiance of Julia Roberts' half-sister Nancy Motes has broken his silence for the first time since the production assistant's death on Sunday (09Feb14), insisting reports suggesting she and her famous sibling didn't get along are untrue.

John Dilbeck has released a statement about the tragedy, explaining that Motes was determined to create a better relationship between herself and family members, despite reports suggesting she and Roberts were at odds at the time of her death.

The statement reads: "John Dilbeck and his extended family would like to express their heartfelt condolences to all of Nancy Motes' family and friends. We loved her dearly and will miss her always. Please know that the words she wrote in online venues were those of someone in pain who loved her family and longed for a closer bond with them.

"Nancy was a kind and thoughtful person quick to give a hug or share her memorable laugh. John is heartbroken and requests that he be left in peace to recover from a loss that all should understand."

Reports suggest Motes may have taken her own life because a suicide note was found at the scene of her death.

Prescription and non-prescription drugs were also found at her Los Angeles home, but it remains unclear whether or not the drugs played a role in her death.

Motes and Dilbeck became engaged last year (13) and were planning to wed in 2014.