Robin Williams diagnosed with Parkinson's disease shortly before committing ...
The Marin County Sheriff's office says it was handcuffed when it came to releasing disturbing details of Oscar winner Robin Williams' suicide.
Lt. Keith Boyd, responding to criticism of a news conference one day after Williams' body was found, said he was compelled by the California Public Records Act to provide all the information about the death.
'Frankly, it would have been our personal preference to withhold a lot of what we disclosed to the press,' said Boyd. 'But the California Public Records Act does not give us that kind of leeway.'
Boyd disclosed that Williams, 63, hanged himself with a belt after slashing at his wrists with a pocketknife. He also provided a detailed description of the position of the actor's body when found.
The lieutenant added that his office would soon release the 911 call made from Williams' home after his personal assistant found the body.
State law requires its release within 10 days, and Boyd said discussions with the Marin County attorney about finding a legal way to withhold the audio were so far fruitless.
Critics said the level of detail was beyond what was necessary, and an executive whose company runs a California suicide prevention hotline suggested it could encourage others to take their lives.
'The contagion effect is real, and it's worrisome,' said Lyn Morris, vice president of clinical operations at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.
The head of one California free speech group said it was better to release all the information at once than to have the details leaked slowly over time.
'While the impact of the details on some people's mourning of Mr. Williams' passing may have been jarring, keeping what was known under wraps would have added needless speculation, if not suspicion, to the general shock,' said Terry Francke of Californians Aware.
With News Wire Services
lmcshane@nydailynews.com
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