Benedict Cumberbatch writes to family of late 'Sherlock' fan

Benedict Cumberbatch recently penned a tribute to late Sherlock fan Eve Shepherd.
The 38-year-old actor wrote a touching letter expressing his sympathy for the 14-year-old's family. Shepherd died after a lifetime struggle with breathing problems and more than 200 operations, and Cumberbatch's note was read aloud at her funeral this week.
Cumberbatch previously sent the teenager a signed photo "wishing her well and saying that he wanted to meet her," father Mark Shepherd revealed to People. Shepherd told the magazine receiving the letter was "absolutely unbelievable," and said his daughter would have been "jumping for joy."
"For him to have spent time to write to us and to comfort us in such a very difficult time is incredible," he marveled. "We knew that he was a lovely man before, but to spend time when he was getting married and was so busy with the Oscars and the BAFTAs and everything else is amazing."
Cumberbatch and theater director Sophie Hunter announced they are expecting their first child in January, and married earlier this month. The actor was nominated at the 2014 BAFTA Awards for his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, and again at the 2015 Academy Awards on Sunday.
Cumberbatch will reprise Sherlock Holmes for a Sherlock Christmas special in December, and return for a fourth season in 2016. The actor is also scheduled for Black Mass with Johnny Depp, Marvel film Doctor Strange and a voice role in Jungle Book: Origins.