On
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
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.
President Obama was among those who paid tribute to Robin Williams following the news of his death, commenting:
Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien ... but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most ... from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.
A final ruling regarding Robin Williams' cause of death will be rendered after a full forensic examination and toxicology testing are completed.