Magnolia Pictures via Everett Collection
Early autopsy results have concluded tragic actor Robin Williams died from “asphyxia due to hanging”.
The Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting star’s body was discovered in a room at his home in Tiburon, California on Monday morning (11Aug14). His publicist Mara Buxbaum confirmed the comedian, who had spent years dealing with drug and alcohol issues, had been battling “severe depression of late” and had been receiving treatment weeks after checking into the Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center in Minnesota to focus on maintaining his sobriety.
A forensic examination was performed on Williams’ remains on Tuesday morning (12Aug14) and at a press conference held shortly afterwards, Lieutenant Keith Boyd, Assistant Chief Deputy Coroner for Marin County, revealed the 63-year-old had hanged himself with a belt.
He explained, “Mr. Williams’ personal assistant became concerned at approximately 11.45am (on Monday) when he failed to respond to knocks on his bedroom door. “At that time, the personal assistant was able to gain access to Mr. Williams’ bedroom, and entered the bedroom to find Mr. Williams clothed, in a seated position, unresponsive, with a belt secured around his neck with the other end of the belt wedged between the clothes closet door and the door frame…”
Police investigating his death noted “several acute, superficial, transverse cuts” on his left wrist, while a pocket knife “with a closed blade” was also found nearby.
The case is being treated as a suicide. Toxicology results are pending and are expected to be revealed within two to six weeks. Lieutenant Boyd declined to discuss whether a suicide note was found at the scene.
