Toronto Star

Williams had no alcohol, illegal drugs in system

Autopsy concludes actor’s cause of death was suicide

- JACKIE HONG STAFF REPORTER

Robin Williams’ death has been officially ruled a suicide.

The Marin County sheriff’s office in California released Williams’ autopsy report Friday. It said the coroner found no illegal drugs or alcohol in the actor’s system, and that Williams’ death has been ruled a suicide by asphyxia due to hanging.

The report also said Williams had prescripti­on medication in his system, but in “therapeuti­c concentrat­ions.”

Sheriff’s officials have said Williams was found in the bedroom of his home in Tiburon on the morning of Aug. 11. His death had been preliminar­ily ruled a suicide, with sheriff’s officials saying he hanged himself with a belt.

Sheriff’s Deputy Stewart Cowan said Friday that his office was not releasing further informatio­n from the report.

Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider, has said the actor and comedian was struggling with depression, anxiety and a recent Parkinson’s diagnosis when he was found dead by his personal assistant.

Williams had publicly acknowl- edged periodic struggles with substance abuse. He had entered a substance abuse rehabilita­tion program shortly before his death and Schneider has said he was sober at the time of his suicide. Williams’ wife was likely home at the time he killed himself, Marin County sheriff’s Lt. Keith Boyd has said. Williams was last seen alive by his wife when she went to bed. She woke up the next morning and left, thinking he was still asleep elsewhere in the house. Shortly after that, Williams’ personal assistant came to the home and became concerned when Williams failed to respond to knocks at a door. The assistant found the 63-year-old actor clothed and dead in a bedroom, according to sheriff’s officials. The results of Williams’ autopsy, including toxicology tests, were originally slated to be released Sept. 20. Marin County officials later announced a Nov. 3 release date, but the report was further delayed.

 ??  ?? Robin Williams was struggling with depression and a recent Parkinson’s diagnosis before he died.
Robin Williams was struggling with depression and a recent Parkinson’s diagnosis before he died.

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