Robin Williams wife says actor was suffering delusions and paranoia in final days before death
Robin Williams’ widow said the actor was suffering delusional fears and paranoia during the two days before his death.
In a piece for The Times, Susan Williams recalled meeting Williams in a store and later attending the same 12-step programme together. Both had attended rehab for drinking or drugs.
In an emotional interview last month, Susan said her husband was “living in a nightmare” in his final weeks because of Lewy Body Dementia, which he was diagnosed with after taking his life in August 2014. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three months before.
Susan said it was not depression that killed him, but the progressive brain disorder that causes symptoms such as stiff limbs, tremors, confusion and mental decline.
She went into more detail about the years leading up to his death as he began suffering with a number of symptoms including stomach pain, problems with his vision, anxiety, confusion and paranoia, which began in 2013.
In 2014, Susan said Willams began suffering from ‘looping’ paranoia that could last up to two days.
In pictures: Robin Williams 1951 – 2014
Show all 25
“We went to a birthday dinner for our close friend, the comedian Mort Sahl,” she wrote. “Later, back at home, Robin tried to sleep but a looping paranoia, like a broken record in his head, took over him. He was convinced Mort was in danger.
“We stayed up until 3.30am. We had to work through his urge to drive to Mort’s apartment and check in on him. (I know now that looping can last anywhere from 24-48 hours or more.)”
Williams was found dead in his home in August 2014. Susan said she had not noticed anything different about her husband in the days leading up to it.
“What I have since learnt is that Robin was still looping with delusional fears and paranoia throughout that weekend, but was no longer sharing this anguish with me. Instead, he made secret phone calls and sent texts to others, insulating me from his mental trauma.”
