Over two months after actor and comedian Robin Williams died in his Tiburon home, the Marin County coroner has closed the investigation into his death. Chief among the findings: other than a small amount of prescription medication, Williams didn't have any chemical substances in his bloodstream at his time of his passing.
It was August 11 when Williams was found dead, likely of asphyxia due to a belt around his neck. In the days following, the world mourned, and Williams' wife released a statement saying that the actor, who had struggled with drug and alcohol abuse in the past, had been sober but fighting depression and Parkinson's disease.
"Robin's sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson's Disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly," his wife, Susan Schneider, wrote on August 14.
A report released by the Marin coroner today confirms Schneider's remarks, noting the "absence of alcohol or illicit drug(s)" in William's death, but that "Prescription medications were detected in therapeutic concentrations."
TMZ reports that the drugs in question were two anti-depressants. Caffeine was also in his system, they report.
The coroner also confirmed that Williams' death was indeed an intentional suicide, though "according to the Coroner's report, authorities asked Williams' wife if Robin was into autoerotica. She said he was not."
TMZ also reports today that, according to coroner's documents they recently obtained, "Williams had experienced Parkinson's symptoms since 2011 -- he had a tremor in his left arm and movement in his left hand had slowed."
Here's the full statement, as released by the Marin County Sheriff's Office, Coroner Division:
Robin Williams Investigation ConcludedOn August 11, 2014 the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations and Coroner
Divisions began investigations into the death of Robin McLaurin Williams who had been
pronounced deceased at 12:02 pm at 95 St. Thomas Way in unincorporated Tiburon,
California. The investigations into Mr. Williams’ death have concluded with the Coroner
Division issuing the following findings:Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to Hanging
Manner of Death: SuicideToxicological evaluation revealed the absence of alcohol or illicit drug. Prescription
medications were detected in therapeutic concentrations.
Williams was cremated, and his remains were reportedly scattered in the SF Bay a few weeks following his death. He was memorialized at a star-studded, private event in San Francisco in September. Plans to rename the Waldo Tunnel after the 63-year-old continue.
"It is our hope in the wake of Robin's tragic passing," Schneider wrote a few days after Williams' death, "that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid."
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
