Doris Day's grandson claims he had not spoken to her for 14 years and learned about her death on social media after being 'kept' from her by a business manager who he says drove their small family apart
- Ryan Melcher, 37, claimed on Facebook that he has not spoken to his grandmother since his father's death in 2004
- She called him to set up dinner but an unnamed business manager intervened, he said
- He claimed the manager put a stop to their relationship and they never spoke again
- As a child, he did spend much time with her after his own parents' divorce
- Ryan's father Terry was Doris's only son but he died from melanoma in 2004
- The 97-year-old Hollywood icon died at home in Carmel, California, on Monday
Doris Day's grandson, her only heir, has spoken out for the first time since her death to claim that they were not close in her final years and that he was 'kept' from her by opportunistic managers.
Ryan Melcher , 37, is star's only grandson. He is the only son of Doris's only son, Terry Melcher, who died in 2004 after battling melanoma.
When news of her death emerged on Monday, it was announced by her charity, The Doris Day Animal Foundation.
In a lengthy Facebook post on Wednesday, Melcher said it had been an 'emotional 24 hours' since he learned of her death.
Ryan Melcher , 37, star's only grandson. He is the only son of Doris's only son, Terry Melcher, who died in 2004 after battling melanoma
He said he was proud of his 'grandma' who he described as a 'cultural icon', 'philanthropist' and 'advocate' for animal rights.
He also, however, told of how they had drifted apart in the years before her death from pneumonia.
'I received the news of my grandmother’s passing like many of you — I awoke and read the news in a social media feed Monday morning.
'Sadly, due to a divorce that I was thrown into the middle of while still an underaged child, I have not been allowed to see my grandmother for quite some time.'
He said that the last time he spoke to her was after his father's 2004 death when she invited him to dinner.
Melcher said that he was intercepted by a manager who instead insisted on meeting him at the family-owned Cypress Inn where he was asked: 'Why do you want to see Doris?'
'I was shocked not only at the question, but also that it was coming from someone who was a stranger and outsider.
'I just responded, "um....she is my grandmother!"
'He replied, "I'm afraid you aren't going to be able to see your grandmother," citing the divorce between my parents as his excuse,' he wrote.
Melcher shared a lengthy Facebook post on Tuesday about his grandmother's death. It can be read in full at the bottom of the article
Without naming the manager, he went on to claim that he fired the board of her charity and kept her isolated in her home.
Day devoted the last part of her life to animal rights
'Looking back, I should have said more; should have drove to her home and not let a stranger come between us, but unfortunately the tall fences and 24-hour guard under her new business manager's direction prevented me taking a stand and reconnecting with my family.
'She had been so happy to talk to me and we were both excited for our upcoming dinner together just a week before, and this man was clearly manipulating the situation,' he said.
Melcher added that he tried to 'get the word out' about what was happening but that he stopped once he heard from people surrounding his grandmother that her mind 'had begun slipping'.
'I feared my outreach would only cause more stress due to the new folks surrounding her.
'I could not bring myself to continue to fight an uphill battle at the expense of her wellbeing or my family’s,' he said.
Melcher also claimed that his father's wife stopped him from seeing him in his final days.
'When you’re young, you believe the adults when they say you are the problem, however no child —or adult for that matter — should be told who they can and can’t love. Especially family.
'I will forever be grateful for the time I had with both my father and my grandmother.
'When I was younger our family was so close and I was so fortunate to have such special people raise me. It’s taught me to live in the moment and not leave things unsaid.
Melcher became a musician but died in 2004 after battling melanoma. He looked after his mother as an adult and helped her rebuild her fortune after his stepfather squandered it. They are shown, in 1984
'It’s a hard truth, however it is my truth and one I hope others can learn from,' he said.
Day, 97, died on Monday surrounded by 'close friends' at her estate in Carmel, California.
She was a Hollywood icon and silver screen darling who stole America's hearts with her wholesome image and stunning looks.
Over the span of 20 years, she filmed an incredible 39 films and sang in most of them.
Her private life was however a far cry from the happy, wholesome one she often portrayed on camera.
She had four failed marriages and, at the end of the third, was left penniless because of her husband's squandering of her fortune.
She retired from showbusiness in the 1970s and retreated quietly into a life devoted to saving animals.
Members of the community where she lived said she would often be seen grabbing stray cats and dogs at night and bringing them home with her to live.
In its announcement of her death, the charity said she did not want a funeral or memorial service and that instead, she wants fans to donate to The Doris Day Foundation.
Ryan's father Terry was Day's first and only child. She had him with her first husband, the trombone player Al Jorden, who she said beat her during her pregnancies.
Terry was a successful musician. He had Ryan with his second wife, the actress Jacqueline Carlin.
Ryan lives in Carmel and works as a real estate agent for Sotheby's.
