Two attempts at suicide: Robin Williams' final hours revealed

The actor died due to asphyxia but also had superficial cuts on his wrist.

13:52 13 August 2014

It's official: Robin Williams took his own life by hanging himself with a belt on Monday, as confirmed by Lt Keith Boyd of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office during a press conference about the actor’s death. Preliminary findings suggest that the actor’s death was caused by suicide due to asphyxia. 

 

According to police reports, Williams was last seen by his wife at 10pm on Sunday. She slept at 10:30pm that night and left home in the morning. She returned after receiving a call about her husband’s death. 

 

Williams’ personal assistant, the one who found his body, became worried when the comedian did not respond to knocks on the door at around 11:45am. She later found Williams in the room, where he was “slightly suspended in a seated position.” His assistant called 911 at about 11:55am. 

 

Boyd said: "The caller was distraught and indicated at that time it was an apparent suicide due to a hanging had taken place and that rigor mortis had set in.” 

 

The actor was pronounced dead at 12:02. He was 63. 

 

Authorities said that they will continue to investigate his death and added that toxicology test results won’t be completed for two to six weeks. 

 

Williams, who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, went to rehab earlier this summer. He also sought treatment for depression. In addition, there have been reports that his two costly divorces left him with severely depleted funds.