UPDATE 8/14: Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider, revealed in a statement Thursday that besides his issues of anxiety and depression that he was also struggling with early stages of parkinson’s disease, of which he was not yet ready to share publicly. She claimed that his suicide was not influenced by drugs or alcohol, saying that “Robin’s sobriety was intact.”
8/13: It is now confirmed that the cause of Williams’ death was suicide, with the confirmed police report stating that it was death by asphyxiation due to hanging himself by his belt. Wounds on his wrists were also found, with a pocket knife being found close to his body. His body was discovered by his personal assistant Monday morning.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead in his home Monday morning by apparent suicide. He was 63.
“At approximately 11:55 a.m., Marin County Communications received a 911 telephone call reporting a male adult had been located unconscious and not breathing inside his residence in unincorporated Tiburon, California,” a Marin County Sheriff’s Department spokesman said to Daily Mail.
According to his publicist, Williams has been battling severe depression as of late.
“This is a tragic and sudden loss,” the representative said. “The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
Susan Schneider, the actor’s wife, released the following statement to New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff.
“This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one if its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings,” she said. “I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope that the focus will not be on Robin’s death but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”
Officials are currently investigating the circumstances of his death. Details soon to follow.
-David Dunn
SOURCE: New York Times, Daily Mail, Consumer News and Business Channel
DAVID DUNN 