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Robin Williams found dead with belt around his neck

The preliminary investigation into the actor's death shows he likely hung himself sometime between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 10:45 a.m. Monday.

By Veronica Linares
Robin Williams. UPI/Jim Ruymen
1 of 2 | Robin Williams. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Robin Williams was found dead with a belt around his neck in his Northern California home Monday, Marin County Lt. Keith Boyd unveiled in a press conference Tuesday.

The preliminary investigation into the actor's death shows he likely hung himself sometime between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 10:45 a.m. Monday. He is believed to have died of "suicide due to asphyxia."

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The Good Will Hunting star was last seen by his wife, Susan Schneider, at 10:30 p.m. Sunday evening before she retired to sleep in one of the room's in the couple's residence. Boyd said Schneider left the house around 10:30 a.m. the following day believing Williams was still asleep.

Williams' assistant became suspicious about the actor's state at around 11:45 a.m., after he failed to open the door of the room where he is believed to have spent the night. Once officials arrived at the scene, the actor was found clothed, "suspended slightly above the ground" in a seated position with a belt around his neck and acute cuts on his left wrist. The other end of the belt was found between a closed door and the door frame, Boyd said.

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While Boyd wouldn't disclose if Williams was intoxicated at the time of his death, he went on to say that the actor had been seeking treatment for depression. A pocket knife was also found close to the actor's body. Subsequent tests will determine if a substance found on the knife was blood.

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Boyd, who is also Marin County's assistant chief deputy coroner, said Williams' final cause of death will be revealed in a few weeks as the investigation is still active "into the cause, manner, and circumstances of Mr. Williams' death."

News of Williams' death broke Monday evening. The actor is survived by Schneider, his third wife, and his three children, Zachary Pym, 31, Zelda Rae, 25, and Cody Alan, 22.

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