The actor and comedian was found Monday in his northern California home. “He has been battling severe depression of late,” his representative said.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Actor Robin Williams died Monday, Aug. 11, at approximately 12:02 p.m., the Marin County Sheriff's announced Monday.
Police are investigating the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, according to the sheriff department's statement.
"Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late," Mara Buxbaum, press representative, said in a statement. "This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."
Williams's wife Susan Schneider asked for "privacy during our time of profound grief."
"This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings," Schneider 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 the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."
The actor famously struggled with issues of addiction and mental health for years. He admitted to abusing alcohol and cocaine in the early 1980s, but quit after his friend John Belushi died of an overdose in 1982. He stayed on the wagon for more than 20 years, but entered rehab in 2006 for alcohol addiction after a relapse.
"It's [addiction] — not caused by anything, it's just there," Williams told ABC in a 2006 interview. "It waits. It lays in wait for the time when you think, 'It's fine now, I'm OK.' Then, the next thing you know, it's not OK. Then you realize, 'Where am I? I didn't realize I was in Cleveland.'"
He checked into rehab on July 31 for "continued sobriety."
Marin County Sheriff said it would hold a news conference Tuesday on the investigation into Williams's death.
Williams had three children from three different marriages: Zachary Pym, age 31; Zelda Rae, age 25; and Cody Alan, age 22.
The last message Williams posted online was a picture of himself with his 25 year-old daughter, Zelda Rae Williams. He uploaded the picture on July 31 — his daughter's birthday.
LINK: Hollywood Remembers Robin Williams
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