The Tragic 24 Hours: A Detailed Timeline Of What Was Robin Williams' Last Day

The enduring image of Robin Williams is one of boundless, electric energy and comedic genius, but the final 24 hours of his life, which concluded on August 11, 2014, were a heartbreakingly quiet contrast. The full, tragic story of his last day has only become clearer in the years since his death, primarily through the efforts of his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, and the powerful 2020 documentary *Robin's Wish*. This new information reveals that the beloved actor was not simply battling depression, but was in the agonizing grip of an aggressive, undiagnosed neurological disorder: Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).

As of December 11, 2025, the details surrounding his final moments continue to be a poignant reminder of the invisible struggles faced by those with neurodegenerative diseases. The timeline of his last day paints a picture of a man who was acutely aware that 'something else was wrong with him,' suffering from a torrent of symptoms including paranoia, anxiety, insomnia, and confusion, all stemming from LBD, a disease he was only diagnosed with posthumously. The following details provide a comprehensive look at the events leading up to and on that tragic Monday.

Robin Williams: A Complete Biographical Profile

Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian whose career spanned four decades, making him one of the most recognizable and beloved entertainers in the world. His ability to seamlessly transition from rapid-fire improvisation to profound dramatic roles earned him critical acclaim and a devoted global following.

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• Full Name: Robin McLaurin Williams
• Born: July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Died: August 11, 2014, in Tiburon, California, U.S. (Age 63)
• Spouses: Valerie Velardi (m. 1978; div. 1988), Marsha Garces (m. 1989; div. 2010), Susan Schneider (m. 2011)
• Children: Zachary Pym Williams, Zelda Rae Williams, Cody Alan Williams
• Education: Juilliard School (attended)
• Notable Roles: Mork in *Mork & Mindy*, Adrian Cronauer in *Good Morning, Vietnam*, John Keating in *Dead Poets Society*, Genie in *Aladdin*, Mrs. Doubtfire in *Mrs. Doubtfire*, Sean Maguire in *Good Will Hunting*
• Key Awards: Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor for *Good Will Hunting*), two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards.
• Cause of Death: Suicide; Post-mortem diagnosis revealed severe Lewy Body Dementia.

The Agonizing Final 24 Hours: A Timeline of August 10–11, 2014

The events of Robin Williams' last day are centered around his home in Tiburon, Marin County, California. The timeline reveals a period of intense private suffering, largely caused by the misdiagnosed Lewy Body Dementia, which his widow later described as "a terrorist in his brain."

Sunday, August 10, 2014: The Last Evening

• Late Afternoon: Robin and Susan Schneider Williams spent a quiet Sunday afternoon together. According to Susan, Robin had been experiencing a severe spike in his LBD symptoms in the preceding months, including extreme anxiety, tremors (initially misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease), and terrifying paranoia.
• Evening Meal: The couple had dinner together at their home. Robin was reportedly struggling with the severe cognitive and psychological symptoms of his disease, which were causing him to lose sleep and experience intense distress.
• 10:30 p.m. PT: Susan Schneider Williams went to bed. This was the last time she or anyone else saw Robin alive. Before she left, Robin reportedly asked his wife if he could sleep in a separate room, a common occurrence due to his chronic insomnia and anxiety. His last known words to her were, "Goodnight, my love."
• Night: Williams spent the night in a separate bedroom, where he was found the next morning. The LBD was causing a complete breakdown of his cognitive and motor functions, leaving him in a state of confusion and deep suffering.

Monday, August 11, 2014: The Discovery

• Morning (Approx. 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PT): Susan left the house, assuming Robin was still asleep in the other room. She was not immediately concerned, as his erratic sleep patterns and need for separate rest were part of the ongoing struggle with his health.
• 11:45 a.m. PT: Robin Williams' personal assistant, Rebecca Erwin Spencer, arrived at the home. After knocking on the door and receiving no response, she became concerned and forced her way into the room.
• 12:00 p.m. PT (approx.): The Marin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a suicide attempt at the Williams residence. Emergency services responded immediately.
• 12:02 p.m. PT: Robin Williams was officially pronounced dead at the scene. The cause was determined to be asphyxia due to hanging.

Lewy Body Dementia: The Crucial Post-Mortem Diagnosis

The initial public narrative focused on depression and substance abuse as the primary drivers of his suicide. However, the subsequent autopsy revealed a far more devastating truth: Robin Williams had suffered from Diffuse Lewy Body Disease, or Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a crippling and aggressive form of progressive dementia.

The Invisible Illness

LBD is the second most common form of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein (Lewy bodies) in the brain. For Williams, the disease was particularly severe, affecting his entire brain, not just isolated areas.

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• Cognitive Decline: Severe fluctuations in attention and alertness, leading to profound confusion.
• Psychiatric Symptoms: Intense, terrifying visual hallucinations, delusions, and severe paranoia.
• Motor Symptoms: Parkinsonism (tremors, rigidity, and slow movement), which was the initial misdiagnosis.
• Sleep Disorders: Severe insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder, where people act out their dreams.

Susan Schneider Williams has stated that the LBD was attacking his brain "in every way," causing him to rapidly lose his ability to perform, think, and even sleep. This internal "chemical warfare" is what ultimately drove him to his final, desperate act, making his death a consequence of a terminal, neurological illness rather than a failure to manage depression alone. The documentary *Robin's Wish* was created specifically to shed light on this devastating diagnosis, ensuring that his legacy includes raising awareness for the agony of LBD.

The Legacy of Laughter and Loss

Robin Williams' passing was a global shock, but the subsequent understanding of his battle with Lewy Body Dementia has transformed the narrative from one of tragedy to one of immense, silent courage. His struggle, revealed through the efforts of his family, has brought much-needed attention to LBD, a disease that is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or a psychiatric disorder.

His final days were marked by a desperate fight against an invisible enemy that was systematically dismantling his mind and body. The man who brought joy to millions was, in his private life, experiencing a level of psychological and physical distress that few could comprehend. While the final 24 hours of his life were tragically quiet, the decade since has seen his family and peers ensure that the full, painful truth of his illness is known, cementing his legacy not just as a comedic genius, but as an unwitting pioneer in LBD awareness.

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The ultimate wish, as explored in *Robin's Wish*, is that the world remembers his final, agonizing struggle was not a choice, but the devastating end result of a terminal brain disease. His final hours, though dark, have illuminated the path for better diagnosis and treatment for countless others suffering from this debilitating condition.