Robin Williams hanged himself in bedroom with a belt, sheriff says

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An iconic Bay Area tunnel, commonly known as the Waldo Tunnel or Rainbow Tunnel, will be named after the late actor Robin Williams.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams performs at the Universal Amphitheater on July 1, 1979 (Tony Barnard / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams stars as Popeye the sailor man, whose secret source of strength turns out to be spinach, with Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl, in 1980’s “Popeye.” (File / AFP/Getty Images)

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Robin Williams performs at the Universal Amphitheater on Aug. 16, 1982. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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In 1984’s “Moscow on the Hudson,” Robin Williams plays Vladimir Ivanoff, a saxophonist in the Moscow circus who defects to the U.S. Here, Williams is pictured with actor Cleavant Derricks and director Paul Mazursky. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

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Robin Williams in San Francisco in 1991. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams speaks to the media backstage after his performance at the Sam Kinison tribute held at the Celebrity Theatre in Anaheim, Sept. 3, 1992. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

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In 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard, an irresponsible father who creates an alter-ego in the form of a nanny in order to spend time with his children. (Phil Bray / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams plays Alan Parrish, a man who was trapped in a board game for 26 years in 1995’s “Jumanji.” He costarred with Bonnie Hunt. (Rob McEwan / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin William plays Armand Goldman, owner of a South Beach drag club who must hide his same-sex relationship with Albert (Nathan Lane) from their son’s future in-laws in the 1996 film “The Birdcage.” (Lorey Sebastian / Los Angeles Times)

By James QueallyStaff Writer

Aug. 12, 2014 11:35 AM PT

Actor and comedian Robin Williams committed suicide by hanging himself after first apparently trying to to slash one of his wrists, authorities said Tuesday.

Marin County sheriff’s Lt. Keith Boyd said Williams hanged himself with a belt in his bedroom, where he was found by his personal assistant shortly before noon on Monday.

Williams was found “in a seated position” in his bedroom shortly after 11:45 a.m., Boyd said.

The 63-year-old actor was discovered with a pocket knife nearby, Boyd said, and had suffered several cuts to his wrist that may have been self-inflicted.

Williams was last seen at his Tiburon home at 10 p.m. Sunday. His body was discovered at about noon Monday, sheriff’s officials have said.

His wife left the couple’s home around 10:30 a.m., believing Williams was still sleeping, according to Boyd. Williams’ personal assistant became concerned when Williams failed to answer several knocks to his bedroom door at 11:45 a.m., and discovered his body moments later.

While officials are awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of the actor’s death, investigators said Monday that they believe Williams appeared to have committed suicide and died of asphyxiation.

Williams, whose career took off after he appeared as an alien in the sitcom “Mork & Mindy” and rose to prominence through a mixture of comedic and maudlin roles, had long struggled with depression as well as alcohol and cocaine abuse. He had recently entered a rehabilitation program.

Boyd declined to say whether Williams left a suicide note, and said the results of a toxicology screen would not be available for several weeks.

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