14 DAY TRIAL // Since news broke that beloved actor Robin Williams took his own life earlier this week, the media but also grieving fans have been speculating on whether his desperate gesture could have been brought on by his decades-long struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol. His wife of 4 years, Susan Schneider says that he had not relapsed.
At the time of his death, Robin Williams was sober and still very committed to staying this way. He was, however, in the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease and the thought of what the future might hold must have been terrifying.
In a beautiful statement to IndieWire, Susan denies reports that her husband had relapsed into drinking or even drug abuse, and says that he had been suffering from severe depression, which was probably made worse by Parkinson’s.
“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,” she explains.
“It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, 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,” Susan continues.
She highlights Robin’s legacy by saying that he always struggled to deliver whatever joy or relief he could through laughter he, even at those times when he must have felt pretty hopeless himself. He wanted us “to laugh and to feel less afraid,” she says.
All this time, he was going through very difficult times, trying to conquer his own demons and struggling with depression.
Robin Williams was 63 years old when he killed himself by hanging in his home, as his wife slept in the next room. His body was found by his longtime personal assistant, who came over by the house to see if he was ok because she couldn’t get in touch with him.
The actor became addicted to cocaine and alcohol in the ‘80s, and also had a history of severe depression bouts. He always spoke candidly on these topics, perhaps thinking that his case could help others in the same situation by making them understand they needed help.
Earlier this year, he had checked himself into rehab, as part of his ongoing commitment to sobriety. This was part of the reason why everyone assumed he must have relapsed in the weeks or days prior to his suicide.