Zee Media Bureau
Houston: The Oscar-winning veteran actor Robin Williams was suffering from the early stages of Parkinson`s disease at the time of his death, says a statement released by his wife on Thursday night.
According to the statement, Susan Schneider said that Williams, 63, was struggling with depression, anxiety and the Parkinson`s diagnosis when he was found dead earlier this week. However, she did not offer details on when Williams had been diagnosed or his symptoms.
The full statement from Robin Williams` wife, Susan Schneider:
"Robin spent so much of his life helping others. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the front lines, or comforting a sick child — Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid.
Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched. His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.
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.
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."
Parkinson`s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a small tremor in one hand. The disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
Investigation officials had earlier confirmed that the actor-comedian`s death was suicide.
Lieutenant Keith Boyd of the Marin County Sheriff`s Office had said that William was found "in a seated position unresponsive with a belt secured around his neck with the other end of the belt wedged between the clothes closet door and the door frame."
The 63-year-old funnyman was found dead on August 11 in his home in San Fransisco, California.
According to the Marin County Sheriff`s Department, Williams was last seen alive around 10 PM on August 10 by his wife Susan Schneider.
She didn`t know about his later condition because they slept in different bedrooms. In the next morning around 10:30 AM, Schneider left their home to run errands, thinking that her husband was still asleep. Williams` assistant became worried and found him in the bedroom around 11:45 AM. The actor is survived by his wife and three children.
With agency inputs
