Jim Carrey left devastated by his former girlfriend's death

Los Angeles - Jim Carrey is "shocked and deeply saddened" by the death of ex-girlfriend Cathriona White.

The 53-year-old actor has paid an emotional tribute to the 30-year-old Irish beautician after she was found dead at her home in Sherman Oaks, California on Monday.

In a statement, the Kick-Ass 2 star said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of my sweet Cathriona.

"She was a truly kind and delicate Irish flower, too sensitive for this soil, to whom loving and being loved was all that sparkled. My heart goes out to her family and friends and to everyone who loved and cared about her. We have all been hit with a lightning bolt."

The brunette beauty died from a suspected suicide and reportedly left a note.

Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told Independent.ie: "Ms White was found at 20:40 local time on Monday, 28 September, at her home in Sherman Oaks.

"'The final cause of death has not been confirmed, pending an autopsy."

The on-again, off-again couple first started dating in 2012 after meeting on a film set, but split a few months later.

They rekindled their romance last May, but recently ended it for the second time.

Jim last mentioned Cathriona, who moved to Los Angeles from her native Co. Tipperary in 2009, on his Twitter profile on 16 September, when he credited her for taking a photograph of him standing in Grand Central station in New York City.

Cathriona was last active on social media last Friday, she tweeted: "Signing off Twitter, I hope I have been a light to my nearest and dearest."