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USA Today

Authorities Reveal How Robin Williams Committed Suicide

Aug 12, 2014  •  Post A Comment

Investigators in San Rafael, Calif., today confirmed that the death of comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams was a suicide, and said he appeared to have hanged himself from a closet door using a leather belt, USA Today reports.

“He was found dead in his bedroom, clothed, slightly suspended in a seated position with a leather belt around his neck, with one end wedged between a closet door and door frame,” the story reports. “At a press conference, Lt. Keith Boyd, assistant chief deputy coroner for Marin County, Calif., said he was cold to the touch and rigor mortis had already set in.”

The report adds: “Williams was found by his personal assistant, who broke in to his room Monday morning when he failed to respond to knocks. She was distraught in the 911 call and indicated Williams’ death was a suicide by hanging.”

Boyd indicated that the comedian was found to have superficial cuts on his left wrist, and said a pocket knife was discovered nearby. The knife was being examined to determine whether it has Williams’ blood on it.

Said Boyd: “The preliminary, and I again say preliminary, result of the forensic examination reveals supporting signs that Mr. Williams’ life ended from asphyxia due to hanging.”

“Boyd would not say whether a suicide note was found. Nor would he discuss medications; toxicology reports won’t be available for several weeks, he said. But he did say Williams had recently sought treatment for depression,” the story notes, adding: “Boyd said today’s forensic examination, conducted by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office chief forensic pathologist, ‘did not reveal any injuries indicating that Williams had been in a struggle or any altercation’ prior to death.”

robin williams

Robin Williams

2 Comments

  1. How horrible to share this information. Lt. Keith Boyd should be fired from his job for disclosing such intimate details on Robin Williams. For a little perspective – imagine it was your husband or wife, son or daughter. The public doesn’t have the “right” to know and the we in the media should gain a little perspective on the dignity of someone we profess to love so much.

  2. I agree!

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