On 11 August 2014 actor Robin Williams was found dead, with suicide suspected as the cause of death.
On August 12, Marin County officials held a press conference to disclose some details about Williams' death, confirming that initial reports the star had died of asphyxiation were accurate. Additional information about the circumstances of Williams' passing was supplied by officials during the briefing.
According to the Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Keith Boyd, Williams was "cold to the touch" when his body was discovered by his personal assistant in a home in an unincorporated part of Tiburon, California.
Boyd said that the actor
was found "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 lieutenant added that Williams' "right shoulder area was touching the door, with his body ... perpendicular to the door and slightly suspended." Police disclosed that the deceased bore superficial wounds to his wrists, suggesting that he'd initially attempted suicide by exsanguination.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding whether the beloved star left a note at the scene, but police confirm that no evidence of a struggle was found during their initial investigation. Lt. Boyd stated at the briefing that Williams had been recently treated for depression, but indicated that the investigation into his death was ongoing.
President Obama was among those who paid tribute to Robin Williams following the news of his death, commenting:
A final ruling regarding Robin Williams' cause of death will be rendered after a full forensic examination and toxicology testing are completed.