USA: Actor and comedian Robin Williams died of asphyxia by hanging, according to the Marin County coroner

Record ID: 704246

  • Title: USA: Actor and comedian Robin Williams died of asphyxia by hanging, according to the Marin County coroner
  • Date: 12th August 2014
  • Summary: SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 12, 2014) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF THE MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE LT. KEITH BOYD, MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY CORONER ADDRESSING MEDIA MEDIA AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) LT. KEITH BOYD, MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY CORONER SAYING: "Mr. Williams' personal as
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Obituaries
  • Reuters ID: LVAD62ZKCLVNK82NOC2EKI0DUULS
  • Story Text: Oscar-winning actor and renowned comedian Robin Williams hanged himself in his California home and died by asphyxia, a coroner said on Tuesday (August 12) based on preliminary findings.
    Williams, 63, was found dead by his personal assistant at midday on Monday (August 11), suspended from a belt wedged between a door and a door frame in a seated position just off the ground, Marin County's assistant chief deputy coroner, Keith Boyd, told a news conference.

    "Mr. Williams' personal assistant became concerned at approximately 11:45am when he failed to respond to knocks on his bedroom door," said Boyd.

    "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, and with a belt secured around his neck with the other end of the belt wedged between the closed closet door and door frame," Boyd added.
    Officials also found a pocket knife near Williams and cuts with dried blood on his wrist that matched the knife blade. It was not yet known if it was his blood.
    Boyd would not discuss if Williams had left a suicide note, but he mentioned that the 63-year-old star had been seeking treatment for depression.
    Funeral arrangements would be decided by the family, Boyd announced, saying that Williams' body had been released by the coroner facility in neighboring Napa County.
    Boyd would not say if any drugs or alcohol were involved and that the full toxicology report would take several more weeks.

    "The investigation is ongoing and toxicology testing will be conducted to determine whether any chemical substances were in Mr. Williams' system prior to the time of his death and at that time we will determine whether there were any signs that he was under the influence or incapacitated by any other substance," said Boyd.
    Comedians, politicians and several generations of fans collectively mourned the death of Williams, famous for his frenetic and freewheeling comedy.
    The news of Williams' death rippled across social media, stunning fans young and old and comedians who had been influenced by Williams since he broke out in the 1970s TV comedy, "Mork & Mindy" as a strange and lovable creature from outer space.
    Williams had been open about his struggles with alcohol and cocaine, and in the past months had entered a rehabilitation center to help him maintain sobriety.
    But many questions remained over his final months and what could have led to his apparent suicide.
    Williams' appeal stretched across generations and genres, from family fare as the voice of Disney's blue Genie in "Aladdin" to his portrayal of a fatherly therapist in the 1997 drama "Good Will Hunting," for which he earned his sole Oscar.
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