RJ Mitte's cause of death has been confirmed by his representative.
The 34-year-old "Breaking Bad" star died by suicide on Monday, Oct. 12, his representative told Variety, Deadline and People Monday evening. Sean Reilly, a representative for Mitte, previously confirmed his death to USA TODAY in a statement.
Mitte was declared dead at 1:32 p.m. local time on Oct. 12 at his residence in Brownsville, Texas, Cameron County Justice of the Peace Judge Cyndi Hinojosa told USA TODAY.
Law enforcement officials' investigation into Mitte's death is ongoing, according TMZ, which first reported the news.
In his statement, Reilly described Mitte as a "beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate."
Reilly added: "Drawing from his own
experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion."
USA TODAY has reached out to Mitte's representatives for comment.
Bryan Cranston mourns 'Breaking Bad' star RJ Mitte's 'devastating' death, shares 988 Lifeline information
Though Mitte had roles in various TV shows such as ABC Family's "Switched at Birth" and Netflix's "The Guardians of Justice," he was best known for his role on the Emmy-winning AMC series "Breaking Bad."
Mitte played Walter "Flynn" White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston's anti-hero Walter White and Anna Gunn's Skyler White. Mitte, whose character also had the neurological disorder, reprised his role throughout the show's five-year run from 2008 to 2013.
Hours after Mitte's death, Cranston shared in an Instagram post in which he wrote that he was "in deep despair." Calling Mitte "my sweet son" whom he's known for two decades, Cranston explained in his lengthy tribute that it was "especially devastating to hear that he took his own life."
Cranston revealed that only a few weeks ago they were making plans to have lunch and mused, "I don't know if that lunch would have changed his future."
He also included information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, adding, "I can't stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope."
Days before his death, Mitte − who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3 − reflected on his time playing a character that also has CP and commended Cranston and Gunn on "The Joe Vulpis Podcast."
"Bryan [Cranston] and Anna [Gunn], they have such a wealth of knowledge and have been working in the industry for many years at the time and even more now," he added. "And so every day, as far as it being a dark show having heavy themes, everything was very light-hearted, even in between takes."
RJ Mitte was an advocate for disability awareness
In a 2016 Vice interview, Mitte described trying "to avoid being an advocate and a spokesmodel" early in his acting career, which started taking off after he moved to Los Angeles as a teenager.
"But the more [I] tried to avoid doing it, the more I found myself in the middle of it," he said.
In the interview, in which the Mississippi-born actor is seen driving and skateboarding near the beach, he said, "People perceive disability as a weakness, as an illness, as something that needs to be cured, and we need to fight against that."
Mitte, who was an honorary trustee of United Cerebral Palsy and president of the Mitte Foundation, often used his platform to spread awareness about disabilities. In 2014, he attended an event for UNC Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization that pairs University of North Carolina students with community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"Having a disability, it's not a disability. It's knowledge that you can take into the world. It's something you can learn and grow from," he said. "To me, normal is whatever you make it. Normal is wherever you find yourself belonging, normal is wherever you find yourself the happiest."
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Contributing: Liza Esquibias, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RJ Mitte's cause of death at 34 is released
