Mother of RJ Mitte Describes Actor's Final Hours and Suicide as Impulsive Decision
RJ Mitte's mother said her son was found dead on Oct. 12, describing his suicide as a spur-of-the-moment act and noting she had urged him to seek therapy in the months before his death.
RJ Mitte, best known for playing Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, was found dead by his mother on Oct. 12 at age 34. His mother, Dyna Mitte, told NBC News that she called him Monday morning and received no answer, later discovering him when she brought him lunch later that day. She said the weekend had been difficult for him and that she had been trying to encourage him to attend therapy for three months, but he declined, insisting he was handling his issues.
A statement from Mitte's representatives confirmed his death and asked the public to respect the family's privacy. The same representatives later confirmed to PEOPLE that the cause was suicide. Dyna Mitte described the act as a "spur of the moment" decision, noting there were no notes left behind.
She also said she had spoken with Bryan Cranston, who portrayed his father on the series, describing their conversation as emotionally intense. Dyna mentioned that her son had been experiencing ups and downs in his relationship with fiancée Kennedy Suarez, though she declined to provide details.
"If I had known anything and could have done anything different, I truly would have," Dyna said.
The family asked that RJ Mitte be remembered for his contributions to acting and disability-rights advocacy. Resources for mental-health support were also highlighted.