Officials have released some harrowing details about the scene where Robin Williams was found dead. You can watch the police press conference in the video above, or read on to learn what we know so far about the comic’s last hours.
1. Robin Williams Was Discovered by His PA
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Robin Williams’s body was discovered by his personal assistant. When Williams was not to be found around the house by 11:45 AM on August 11, the assistant went looking for him. The police were called to the scene around noon that day. Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider, was at home when the incident occurred. However, it appears that she went to sleep before her husband, and left the house in the morning prior to the discovery of his body.
2. Robin Williams May Have Used a Knife on Himself
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While officials wouldn’t reveal the location or extent of the cuts found on Williams’ body, a knife was found at the scene and Williams had at least one cut on his body. It has been theorized that Williams attempted suicide by cutting himself first, and then decided to hang himself instead.
NBC News notes that officials are keeping mum on whether a suicide note was discovered at the scene.
3. Robin Williams Appears to Have Hanged Himself With a Belt
The video above features Robin Williams on Inside the Actors Studio. He answers James Lipton’s question, “If Heaven exists what would you like to hear God say at the Pearly Gates?”
Robin Williams was found in a state of rigor mortis. He used a belt to hang himself, and appeared to have placed one end of belt in a closet door. The preliminary autopsy findings are that Williams died from “asphyxia due to hanging,” according to Lt. Keith Boyd of the Marin County’s Sheriff’s Office.
The belt was placed around his neck, and Williams was found clothed. The belt had been tucked between the closet door and door frame to keep it from moving.
4. Williams Was Found in a Seated Position
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According to officials, Williams was found in a seated position. He was only “slightly suspended,” with his right shoulder against the closet door. His body was stiff from rigor mortis, giving him the appearance of being sat in a chair that wasn’t there.
5. The Results of Robin Williams’ Tox Screen Are Not Expected for Weeks
The standup routine above features Robin Williams talking about alcoholics.
It takes up to six weeks to process toxicology results, so it will be weeks before anyone knows whether Williams had been drinking or using drugs prior to his suicide. The earliest the tox screens could come back is about two weeks. Once the toxicology report is complete, officials can close the investigation into the death of Robin Williams.