Oscar-winning actor found after apparent suicide

Robin Williams dead at 63

After a life of spinning comic magic, Robin Williams made his last act a tragedy.

 

The manic comedian, who kept America laughing with his rapid-fire humor, and later won an Oscar for his serious acting, stunned his family, friends and millions of fans Monday by apparently committing suicide at his suburban San Francisco home. He was 63.

 

His body was found at the residence in Tiburon at 11:55 a.m., California time, by Marin County sheriff’s deputies. He was pronounced dead seven minutes later. He was last seen alive about 10 p.m. Sunday.

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday, but the Marin County Coroner said the cause of death appeared to be suicide by asphyxiation.

Williams had suffered manic depression throughout his life, stemming from bipolar disorder. His spokeswoman, Mara Buxbaum, said he had been “battling severe depression” in recent days.

For most of his adult life he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and had emerged from his latest rehab stint — what he had jokingly said was a “freshening up” — on July 1. Though he had reportedly looked gaunt and tired in recent weeks, his death came as a shock to everyone around him.

“This morning I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings,” his wife, Susan Schneider, said in a statement. “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.”