Robin Williams’ wife: ‘Lewy body dementia killed Robin’

NEW YORK (CNN) – Robin Williams was suffering from dementia with Lewy bodies and was aware of what was happening to him at the time he committed suicide, his wife Susan Williams explained in an emotional interview that aired Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”

She also said she forgave him for taking his own life.

“Lewy body dementia killed Robin. It’s what took his life,” she said. “And that’s what I’ve spent the last year trying to get to the bottom of: what took my husband’s life.”

The Oscar-winning actor committed suicide on Aug. 11, 2014, at age 63, and talk at the time focused on the depression, anxiety and paranoia he was said to have been suffering. But Susan Williams told “GMA” that in the last week of her husband’s life, doctors were planning to check him into a facility for neuro-cognitive testing.

Asked point-blank by ABC News’ Amy Robach whether her husband was “losing his mind” and whether he knew that, Susan Williams replied, “He was aware of it. He was keeping it together as best he could, but the last month he could not. It was like the dam broke. ”

“GMA” will have more from the sit-down on Wednesday’s show.