Patton Oswalt's wife Meredith Salenger is defending her husband's right to honor his late spouse, Michelle McNamara, after a social media user suggested his tribute might be difficult for her to witness.
On April 21, the comedian marked the 10-year anniversary of McNamara's death with a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a throwback photo and the caption, "Ten years gone. Miss you, baby." Salenger, who married Oswalt in 2017, left a supportive comment, calling McNamara a "beauty," "smart," "cool," and "brave," and adding, "Wish I had known her."
When a commenter expressed sympathy for Salenger, saying it's "always a tough message for a current spouse/partner to read," she responded with grace. "Not tough at all," she wrote. "My heart breaks that the two people I love the most lost the person they loved the most. That they ever endured that sadness that will never go away. My heart aches for them both."
Oswalt highlighted his wife's reply on Threads, praising her empathy. "Meredith elevates empathy and has guided me and Alice back into the world," he wrote. "I found love twice, and I'm thankful every day."
McNamara, a crime writer, died in 2015 at age 46 due to a combination of prescription medications and an undiagnosed heart condition. Oswalt and Salenger continue to keep her memory alive, with Salenger noting that McNamara "made the greatest kid on the planet"—their daughter Alice, now 17.