The Truth Behind Robin Williams' Suicide

Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014. For the first time since that tragic day, Susan Williams, Robin's widow, recently spoke about the self-inflicted death of her husband.

Over the last 14 months, there have been speculations that Williams was depressed, which was what sensibly led to his suicide. Susan Williams contradicted this theory when she stated on "The View" that, "Robin did not die of depression. Robin had a deadly disease...called Lewy body dementia. He had one of the worst cases they'd ever seen."

According to the National Institute of Health, Lewy body dementia has negative effects on thinking, mood, movement and behavior. Over 1 million Americans are affected by this disease, which has similar effects to Parkinson's disease. Those affected by Lewy body dementia often become unable to care for themselves. On top of this, hallucinations occur regularly. Robin fell victim to each and every side-effect of his disease.

Beyond depression, many believed alcohol and drugs to have aided Williams in his suicide. According to Susan Williams, her husband had been sober for eight years.

Although he was not diagnosed with Lewy body dementia until after his death, Williams had been given three years to live by doctors, aware that he was a victim of dementia, hallucinations, and other forms of mental deterioration. Williams seemed to have lost control of the reins of his life.

Good Morning America asked Susan Williams if she thought Robin's suicide was his way of taking back control. She responded, "...oh yeah. I think he was just saying, No."