Robin Williams’ exact cause of death was revealed today during a press conference by the Marin County Sheriff’s Department.
The comic actor died from asphyxia due to hanging with a belt. He had also cut his wrists. A pocket knife was found nearby.
He was found Monday morning in his bedroom, in his Tiburon, CA home, by his personal assistant, who checked in on him after becoming concerned at approximately 11:45 am. Robin failed to respond to several knocks on his bedroom door.
“His body was in a position that looks like he’s sitting in a chair, slightly off the ground, suspended between the belt that was wedged between the door and the door frame,” Marin County Sheriff’s Lt. Keith Boyd told reporters.
“Acute, superficial cuts” were located “on the inside of his left wrist.”
The body was cold to the touch and rigor mortis had begun to set in, the assistant told officials. The actor was pronounced dead at 12:02 p.m. Monday.
According to a recent report by TMZ, no suicide note was left.
Chemical substances were found in Robin’s system, but a full toxicology report won’t be available until further testing is completed in 2-6 weeks.
Law enforcement stress that the investigation is still ongoing.
“We want to be thorough,” Boyd said. “We want to be sure that we cover all of our bases…to make sure we’re not forgetting anything else that we’re not being presumptive and overlooking [pertinent details].”
Robin’s wife was inside the home and went to sleep around 10:30 p.m. She left the house in the morning, believing her husband was still asleep, and returned after the actor’s body was already found. She was the last person to see him alive, according to police.
No time of death has yet been specified. A full statement from the Sheriff’s office yesterday reported that a 911 call was made from inside the house at approximately 11:55 a.m.
Funeral arrangements have not been made public.
Press Conference
