Robin Williams hanged himself with a belt Sunday night while his wife slept in a nearby bedroom, it has been revealed.
The
63-year-old Williams was last seen alive about 10.30pm on Sunday by his
third wife Susan Schneider when she went to bed. Williams locked
himself in a different bedroom, Marin County Sheriff's Lieutenant Keith
Boyd said this afternoon.
63-year-old Williams was last seen alive about 10.30pm on Sunday by his
third wife Susan Schneider when she went to bed. Williams locked
himself in a different bedroom, Marin County Sheriff's Lieutenant Keith
Boyd said this afternoon.
By the time an assistant found the
Oscar-winning actor's body at 11.55am on Monday, rigor mortis had set
in. It normally takes 12 to 18 hours for a body to stiffen after death.
Oscar-winning actor's body at 11.55am on Monday, rigor mortis had set
in. It normally takes 12 to 18 hours for a body to stiffen after death.
After
going to bed Sunday night, Susan got up and left the house to run
errands about 10.30am - believing her husband of three years was still
asleep.
going to bed Sunday night, Susan got up and left the house to run
errands about 10.30am - believing her husband of three years was still
asleep.
An assistant, worried when Williams couldn't be roused at
11.45am, broke into the bedroom. Williams was found clothed, in a
seated position with a belt around his neck.
11.45am, broke into the bedroom. Williams was found clothed, in a
seated position with a belt around his neck.
He had several
superficial cuts on the inside of his left wrist. A pocket knife with
what appeared to be dried blood was discovered nearby.
superficial cuts on the inside of his left wrist. A pocket knife with
what appeared to be dried blood was discovered nearby.
Tragic: Troubled actor Robin Williams was found dead with a belt
wrapped around his neck about 11.55am in his bedroom - at least 12 hours
after he had killed himself
wrapped around his neck about 11.55am in his bedroom - at least 12 hours
after he had killed himself
Suicide: Lieutenant Keith Boyd, with the Marin County Sheriff's
Office, said Williams was found dead about 11.55am on Monday - and that
rigor mortis had set in
Office, said Williams was found dead about 11.55am on Monday - and that
rigor mortis had set in
Susan Schneider, Williams wife since 2011, was the last to see her
husband alive when she went to bed about 10.30pm on Sunday. He was found
dead less than 14 hours later
husband alive when she went to bed about 10.30pm on Sunday. He was found
dead less than 14 hours later
Emergency personnel arrived at
noon. At 12:02 he was pronounced dead. Toxicology reports are pending
and will take two to six weeks.
noon. At 12:02 he was pronounced dead. Toxicology reports are pending
and will take two to six weeks.
Police would not comment on whether Williams left a suicide note, though TMZ reports that his family don't believe he left behind anything explaining his actions.
Police also wouldn't discuss the circumstances under which Williams and his wife went to bed in separate rooms.
The
Mrs Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting star's suicide comes after decades
of battling depression and alcohol and drug addiction. He was also
facing significant financial pressures and admitted he was selling a
$35million estate in Napa because he could no longer afford it..
Mrs Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting star's suicide comes after decades
of battling depression and alcohol and drug addiction. He was also
facing significant financial pressures and admitted he was selling a
$35million estate in Napa because he could no longer afford it..
Williams
was 'very drawn and thin' and appeared just a 'shell' of his bright
public persona this weekend - a few days before he committed suicide,
according to his neighbor who was one of the last people to see him
alive.
was 'very drawn and thin' and appeared just a 'shell' of his bright
public persona this weekend - a few days before he committed suicide,
according to his neighbor who was one of the last people to see him
alive.
EXCLUSIVE: NEIGHBOR WHO SAW STAR ONE DAY BEFORE DEATH SAYS 'HE WAS A SHELL'
One
of the last people to see Robin Williams alive has said the renowned
funnyman was 'a shell' when she saw him a day before he killed himself.
A
longtime neighbor has exclusively told MailOnline that Williams was
withdrawn when she stopped to chat with him this weekend near his home
outside Tiburon, California.
Through tears she said: 'The last time I saw Robin was over the
weekend, we would catch up on the street, just casual.
'He was very drawn and thin, he did not look like the Robin who first moved into this community many years ago.
'He
was a shell of himself, exhausted and not in the best spirits, but
still the nice guy I had always known. There seemed to be something on
his mind.
'He was not at all like his stage persona, that was not
the Robin I knew. He was more quiet and down-to-earth, not over-the-top
like he was in the movies. He listened well.
'He was often quiet and very private.
‘The last time I saw him he seemed to be in a bad place emotionally.'
of the last people to see Robin Williams alive has said the renowned
funnyman was 'a shell' when she saw him a day before he killed himself.
A
longtime neighbor has exclusively told MailOnline that Williams was
withdrawn when she stopped to chat with him this weekend near his home
outside Tiburon, California.
Through tears she said: 'The last time I saw Robin was over the
weekend, we would catch up on the street, just casual.
'He was very drawn and thin, he did not look like the Robin who first moved into this community many years ago.
'He
was a shell of himself, exhausted and not in the best spirits, but
still the nice guy I had always known. There seemed to be something on
his mind.
'He was not at all like his stage persona, that was not
the Robin I knew. He was more quiet and down-to-earth, not over-the-top
like he was in the movies. He listened well.
'He was often quiet and very private.
‘The last time I saw him he seemed to be in a bad place emotionally.'
The longtime resident of the secluded community where Williams lived
has exclusively told MailOnline that Williams appeared subdued and
preoccupied - especially compared to the up-beat family man who moved
into the Tiburon, California, mansion years ago.
has exclusively told MailOnline that Williams appeared subdued and
preoccupied - especially compared to the up-beat family man who moved
into the Tiburon, California, mansion years ago.
Williams' neighbor told MailOnline through tears: 'The last time I saw Robin was over the
weekend, we would catch up on the street, just casual.
weekend, we would catch up on the street, just casual.
'He was very drawn and thin, he did not look like the Robin who first moved into this community many years ago.
'He
was a shell of himself, exhausted and not in the best spirits, but
still the nice guy I had always known. There seemed to be something on
his mind...
was a shell of himself, exhausted and not in the best spirits, but
still the nice guy I had always known. There seemed to be something on
his mind...
‘The last time I saw him he seemed to be in a bad place emotionally.'
Williams struggled with depression and an addiction to cocaine and alcohol for decades. Last
month the married father of three was back in rehab 'fine-tuning' his
sobriety in a year where he had been working on six movies and a TV
series.
month the married father of three was back in rehab 'fine-tuning' his
sobriety in a year where he had been working on six movies and a TV
series.
His publicist also revealed the star had been 'battling severe depression
of late.'
of late.'
Williams also
admitted that he was troubled by his finances. He was reportedly forced
to pay $30million during his 2008 divorce from his second wife Marsha
Garces, the film producer who is mother to his last two children, and
first wife Valerie Velardi.
admitted that he was troubled by his finances. He was reportedly forced
to pay $30million during his 2008 divorce from his second wife Marsha
Garces, the film producer who is mother to his last two children, and
first wife Valerie Velardi.
Last
year, he admitted that he was selling his $35million Napa estate
because he could no longer afford it. He listed it in April for
$29.9million - a $5million markdown from what he paid for it.
year, he admitted that he was selling his $35million Napa estate
because he could no longer afford it. He listed it in April for
$29.9million - a $5million markdown from what he paid for it.
He
also admitted that he was working many of his recent gigs - including a
new TV show for CBS - to make money. He was also working on six movies
this year - leaving four of them unfinished.
also admitted that he was working many of his recent gigs - including a
new TV show for CBS - to make money. He was also working on six movies
this year - leaving four of them unfinished.
Fans laid flowers at the gate of Williams' mansion in a secluded neighborhood at 95 St. Thomas Way outside Tiburon, California
On July 21, in what could be the last picture of the comedy giant,
Robin Williams posted this photograph to Instagram on his birthday of
himself and his Night at the Museum co-star, Crystal the monkey, who
will also be familiar to viewers of the Hangover trilogy
Robin Williams posted this photograph to Instagram on his birthday of
himself and his Night at the Museum co-star, Crystal the monkey, who
will also be familiar to viewers of the Hangover trilogy
Dearest wish: A shot of the marquee at the Laugh Factory in West
Hollywood paying tribute to the late Robin Williams on August 11, 2014
in Los Angeles, California
Hollywood paying tribute to the late Robin Williams on August 11, 2014
in Los Angeles, California
A source told RadarOnline that Williams confided that he had 'serious money troubles.'
He told Parade magazine last September: 'The idea of having a steady job is appealing... There are bills to pay.
'My life has downsized, in a good way. I’m selling the ranch up in Napa. I just can’t afford it anymore.'
No
matter Williams' current financial state, he made sure to look after
his three children, Zachary Pym, 31, Zelda Rae, 25 and Alan, 22.
matter Williams' current financial state, he made sure to look after
his three children, Zachary Pym, 31, Zelda Rae, 25 and Alan, 22.
TMZ
reports that he set up trusts for his children in 2009 that were paid
in stages. One their 21st birthday, the children each got one third of
the trust. Half of the remaining amount was to be doled on out their
25th birthday and the rest on their 30th.
reports that he set up trusts for his children in 2009 that were paid
in stages. One their 21st birthday, the children each got one third of
the trust. Half of the remaining amount was to be doled on out their
25th birthday and the rest on their 30th.
It is not known how much money is in the trusts, but TMZ reports that they will continue to pay out even after the star's death.
Williams had not been seen in public since his birthday three weeks ago.
Despite his trip to rehab in Minnesota earlier this year, friends tell TMZ that the star's final attempt at saving himself from his demons might have come too late.
'Just
before he checked in it was obvious ... he had not gotten treatment for
so long he was too far down the road,' a source told the gossip site.
before he checked in it was obvious ... he had not gotten treatment for
so long he was too far down the road,' a source told the gossip site.
Felt around the nation: In Boston, the park bench from Williams'
famous scene in 'Good Will Hunting.' They also wrote tributes to his
inspiration Oscar-winning character from the film
famous scene in 'Good Will Hunting.' They also wrote tributes to his
inspiration Oscar-winning character from the film
Poignant: Flowers, messages and other tributes are scattered across
the comedian's star on the Holywood Walk of Fame as fans come to terms
with his death
the comedian's star on the Holywood Walk of Fame as fans come to terms
with his death
Family: Actor Robin Williams and with then wife Marsha Garces
Williams, sons Cody, Zachary with girlfriend Alex, daughter Zelda arrive
at the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2005
Williams, sons Cody, Zachary with girlfriend Alex, daughter Zelda arrive
at the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2005
Those who knew Williams well also
spoke to a disconnect between his on-screen exuberance and the private,
withdrawn person he could be in his personal life.
spoke to a disconnect between his on-screen exuberance and the private,
withdrawn person he could be in his personal life.
'I’ve
always felt that Robin’s blinding speed and flash of wit was an effort
at concealment, rather than revealing,' Monty Python member Eric Idle
said in 2009. 'He would be talking about something personal or sexual,
but it was always in general, not about him.'
always felt that Robin’s blinding speed and flash of wit was an effort
at concealment, rather than revealing,' Monty Python member Eric Idle
said in 2009. 'He would be talking about something personal or sexual,
but it was always in general, not about him.'
Jamie
Masada, a US comedy club pioneer, said: 'He was always in character -
you never saw the real Robin. I knew him 35 years, and I never knew
him.'
Masada, a US comedy club pioneer, said: 'He was always in character -
you never saw the real Robin. I knew him 35 years, and I never knew
him.'
Even the neighbor who spoke to MailOnline said his demeanor was different in person.
'He
was not at all like his stage persona, that was not the Robin I knew.
He was more quiet and down-to-earth, not over-the-top like he was in the
movies. He listened well,' she said.
was not at all like his stage persona, that was not the Robin I knew.
He was more quiet and down-to-earth, not over-the-top like he was in the
movies. He listened well,' she said.
'He was often quiet and very private.'
He drove a beat-up Jeep, not a flashy car and kept a low-profile in the neighborhood - despite living in a home worth millions.
'UTTERLY HEARTBROKEN': ROBIN WILLIAMS' WIFE PAYS TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO 'MY HUSBAND AND BEST FRIEND'
Robin Williams' wife revealed that he had died and released a moving statement.
Susan Schneider said:
'This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world
lost one if its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am
utterly heartbroken,' she began.
'This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world
lost one if its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am
utterly heartbroken,' she began.
'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.'
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.'
Shortly afterwards his daughter Zelda, 25, tweeted an excerpt from Antoine De Saint-Exupery's novella The Little
Prince which read: 'You - you alone will have the stars as no one else
has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I
shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing,
when you look at the sky at night... You - only you will have stars that
can laugh.'
Prince which read: 'You - you alone will have the stars as no one else
has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I
shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing,
when you look at the sky at night... You - only you will have stars that
can laugh.'
Friends and colleagues such as Steven
Spielberg, Steve Martin, Danny DeVito and Ben Stiller all took to social
media to express their grief and offer condolences to Williams' third
wife and three children, Zachary Pym, 31, Zelda Rae, 25 and Alan, 22.
Spielberg, Steve Martin, Danny DeVito and Ben Stiller all took to social
media to express their grief and offer condolences to Williams' third
wife and three children, Zachary Pym, 31, Zelda Rae, 25 and Alan, 22.
President
Obama issued a touching tribute to the actor and comedian, and said:
'Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a
professor, a bangarang Peter Pan and everything in between. But he was
one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up
touching every element of the human spirit.
Obama issued a touching tribute to the actor and comedian, and said:
'Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a
professor, a bangarang Peter Pan and everything in between. But he was
one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up
touching every element of the human spirit.
'He made us laugh. He made us cry. He
gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed
it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our
own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family,
his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks
to Robin Williams.'
gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed
it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our
own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family,
his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks
to Robin Williams.'
The Los Angeles' Laugh Factory, where he inspired countless other comedians, issued
their own tribute to the Oscar winning actor and entertainer by changing
their banner to read 'Robin Williams Rest in Peace. Make God Laugh.'
their own tribute to the Oscar winning actor and entertainer by changing
their banner to read 'Robin Williams Rest in Peace. Make God Laugh.'
The star's 25-year-old daughter Zelda Williams
tweeted a poignant quote shortly after her about her loss.
tweeted a poignant quote shortly after her about her loss.
She
posted an exerpt from Antoine De Saint-Exupery's novella The Little
Prince which read: 'You - you alone will have the stars as no one else
has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I
shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing,
when you look at the sky at night... You - only you will have stars that
can laugh.'
posted an exerpt from Antoine De Saint-Exupery's novella The Little
Prince which read: 'You - you alone will have the stars as no one else
has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I
shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing,
when you look at the sky at night... You - only you will have stars that
can laugh.'
She finished the post with the words: 'I love you. I miss you. I'll try to keep looking up, Z.'
Williams' last tweet and Instagram post came
on July 31, - 11 days before his apparent suicide - in which he wished Zelda a happy 25th birthday, posting a picture of
himself with her as a child. 'Quarter of a century old today but always
my baby girl,' he wrote.
on July 31, - 11 days before his apparent suicide - in which he wished Zelda a happy 25th birthday, posting a picture of
himself with her as a child. 'Quarter of a century old today but always
my baby girl,' he wrote.
Outside the family home in a neighbourhood of low-slung houses with water views, people left flowers
and talked about the man who rode his bike around and had a smile and a
wave for children on the street.
and talked about the man who rode his bike around and had a smile and a
wave for children on the street.
'It
wasn't like having a celebrity,' said Sonja Conti who said the actor
would often ask about her dog and nicknamed him 'Dude.' 'He was just a
normal, nice guy. People left him alone.'
wasn't like having a celebrity,' said Sonja Conti who said the actor
would often ask about her dog and nicknamed him 'Dude.' 'He was just a
normal, nice guy. People left him alone.'
Another neighbour, Kelly Cook, 50, described Williams as a 'private man' who would often be seen cycling around the area.
She
said her children would call him 'the funny man' and he would often
speak to them when he was out walking his pug called Lenny.
said her children would call him 'the funny man' and he would often
speak to them when he was out walking his pug called Lenny.
Gibson and Schwarzenegger pay tribute to Robin Williams
tweet: Zelda Williams posted an Antoine De Saint-Exupery quote from The
Little Prince on Monday following her father Robin Williams's death
birthday on July 31, posting a touching black and white photo of himself
cradling his baby girl
He admitted he returned to TV after nearly three decades because two divorces have left him short of cash.
The
comic’s breakups cost him £30million and he claims to need a ‘steady
job’. He was also selling his $30million California ranch due to his
sizeable alimony payments.
Williams said: ‘Divorce is expensive. I
used to joke they were going to call it “all the money”, but they
changed it to “alimony”.
'It’s ripping your heart out through your wallet.’
His
marriage to Valerie Velardi ended in 1988 after the pair had been
together for 10 years. The actor then wed his son’s nanny Marsha Garces
with whom he stayed for 19 years and had two children with.
The couple divorced in 2008. Williams is now married to graphic designer, Susan Schneider.
of actor and comedian Robin Williams in Tiburon, California August 11,
2014
Francisco Zoo where he fed a howler monkey that was named 'Robin' after
him
Pierce Brosnan reacts to the death of Robin Williams
home in Tiburon, California which is owned by Robin Williams and his
family and where the comedy legend was found dead on Monday (pictures
date from before Williams purchased the home)
FANS TURN PARK BENCH FROM FAMOUS SCENE IN GOOD WILL HUNTING INTO TRIBUTE FOR ROBIN WILLIAMS
The bench in Boston where a memorable scene from Good Will Hunting was filmed has been turned into a memorial for the film star.The
seat is by a lake in the city's Public Gardens and formed the
backdrop of the famous monologue delivered by his character Sean
Maguire, a psychiatrist reaching out to troubled genius janitor Will.
In
a much-loved scene from the film, which earned Williams a best
supporting actor Oscar, Maguire, a widower, calmly takes apart his
young, talented patient's intellectual aloofness and cynical attitude.
Williams, portraying psychiatrist Sean Maguire, delivers a famous
monologue about life and love to his troubled yet brilliant patient Will
Maguire
says: ‘You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably
throw Shakespeare at me, right? “Once more into the breach, dear
friends”.
‘But you've never been near one. You've never held your
best friend's head in your lap, and watch him gasp his last breath
looking to you for help.
‘I'd ask you about love, you'd probably
quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally
vulnerable… to have that love for her, be there forever, through
anything, through cancer.
'And
you wouldn't know about sleeping sittin' up in the hospital room for
two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes
that the terms 'visiting hours' don't apply to you.
'You don't know about real loss, 'cause that only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself.’
Now
fans have written quotes from the film in chalk on the floor around the
bench, such as the monologue's final challenge: 'Your move, chief'.
Another
wrote: 'Sorry guys, I went to see about a girl' in reference to the
scene where Williams talks about the moment he met his beloved wife.
Flowers have also been placed at the site.
Watch Video Here:
Archive: Robin Williams walks red carpet with wife and daughter
Archive: A montage of Robin Williams' best movies
father actor Robin Williams attend the House Of D film premiere at Loews
Lincoln Square in New York in 2005 and (right) Zelda seen in November,
2013
'VERY SAD, VERY UPSET': COMEDY LEGEND's ONSCREEN MRS. DOUBTFIRE DAUGHTER MARA WILSON LEADS TRIBUTES
Tributes were pouring in after the shocking news of Robin Williams' death broke on Monday.
Two decades on: Mara Wilson was six-years-old when she starred with Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire and took to Twitter on Monday to
express her grief at Robin Williams' death
Mara Wilson, who played his
on-screen daughter in Mrs Doubtfire, was amongst the first to pay their
respects to the late actor, whose tragic death aged 63 at his Tiburon,
California home is being treated as suspected suicide.
The
actress, who is now 27, was devastated. She tweeted: 'Very sad, very
upset, very glad I did not have to hear about this though Twitter.
Probably going to be taking some time off it for a while.'
Sally
Field, who also starred in the movie, said in a statement: 'I feel
stunned and so sad about Robin. I'm sad for the world of comedy. And so
very sad for his family. And I'm sad for Robin.
'He
always lit up when he was able to make people laugh, and he made them
laugh his whole life long.... tirelessly. He was one of a kind. There
will not be another. Please God, let him now rest in peace
Robin's
representative told MailOnline: 'Robin Williams passed away this
morning. He has been battling severe depression of late.
'This
is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their
privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.'
| Mail Online
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