13th Aug 2014 And finally, autopsy reports reveal actor and comedian Robin Williams died of asphyxia by hanging.
Speaking at a press conference, Marin County’s Assistant Chief Deputy Coroner Keith Boyd detailed the circumstances surrounding the actor’s passing.
LT. KEITH BOYD, MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY CORONER SAYING:
“MR. WILLIAMS’ PERSONAL ASSISTANT BECAME CONCERNED AT APPROXIMATELY 11:45 AM WHEN HE FAILED TO RESPOND TO KNOCKS ON HIS BEDROOM DOOR. 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 would not say if any drugs or alcohol were involved and that the full toxicology report would take several more weeks.
LT. KEITH BOYD, MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY CORONER SAYING:
“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.”
The news of Williams’ death rippled across social media, stunning fans young and old and comedians drawn to his unique talents 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.
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 soberness.
But many questions remained over his final months and what could have led to his apparent suicide.
Funeral arrangements would be decided by the family as his body had been released by the coroner facility in neighboring Napa County. Robin Williams passed away aged 63.