Robin Williams widow, children tussle over actor's estate

The widow of comic legend Robin Williams and his three adult children are locked in a pitched battle over his estate months after his death, court records show.

The conflict centers on items the groundbreaking comedian left behind after committing suicide in August, from clothing and watches to collectibles such as bicycles and figurines, as well as some of his fortune.

His widow, Susan Schneider Williams, said in a petition filed in Superior Court in San Francisco on Dec. 19 that a trust Williams set up for her entitled her to their home in Tiburon, California, and most of its contents.

The petition said some property was removed from the house without her permission and that "Mrs. Williams became frightened of the co-trustees invading her home," prompting her to hire legal counsel.

"Susan Schneider Williams lost her husband through a shocking and emotionally charged event," the document said. "Since the incident, she was not given time to grieve her loss free from the frenetic efforts to interfere with her domestic tranquility."

The filing said that while another home Williams owned in Napa, California, and most of the items inside belonged to his children - Zachary, Zelda, and Cody - based on a separate trust, certain personal items did not.

Robin Williams' children responded in a filing on Jan. 21, alleging that Susan Schneider Williams was deliberately attempting to obscure the language of the documents to secure more of the estate for herself.

The children's filing said they were "heartbroken" and that Susan Schneider Williams, who became the actor's third wife in 2011, was acting against his wishes by challenging his plans for his estate.

"Robin's children want nothing more than to be left alone to grieve," their spokesman Allan Mayer said in a statement. "The fact that they are being forced into these legal proceedings adds insult to a terrible injury."

Mayer denied that the children may have taken anything from Susan Williams' home.

Susan Williams' attorney, James Wagstaffe, did not respond to a request for comment.

Oscar winner Williams, 63, hanged himself with a belt in his Tiburon home on Aug. 11, after seeking treatment for depression. He was last seen alive by his widow.

His death sent shockwaves across the country and stood in stark contrast to the characters he portrayed in films such as "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Dead Poets Society" who encouraged people to tap into their own inner vitality.

(Additional reporting by Jill Serjeant in New York; Editing by Richard Chang and Alan Crosby)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Robin Williams committed suicide, coroner confirms

LOS ANGELES - Comic actor Robin Williams committed suicide by hanging himself and had no alcohol or illicit drugs in his system at the time of his death, coroners said Friday.

The 63-year-old, known for high-energy, rapid-fire improvisation and clowning, was found dead on August 11 at his home in Marin County, north of San Francisco.

The coroner for Marin County, Robert T. Doyle, said the investigation into his death had concluded, giving the cause as "asphyxia due to hanging" and the manner of death as "suicide."

"Toxicological evaluation revealed the absence of alcohol or illicit drugs. Prescription medications were detected in therapeutic concentrations," it added in a brief statement.

Williams, an Oscar-winner and veteran of movies, stand-up shows and hit television series, was one of Hollywood's most popular entertainers and his death triggered an outpouring of emotion the world over.

A few days after his death, Williams' wife said her husband was suffering from depression and the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Father-of-three Williams had spoken openly in the past about his battles with alcoholism and drug abuse -- and often drew on them in his stand-up comedy routines.

Star of hit films such as "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Mrs Doubtfire," Williams had last been seen alive the day before his death by his wife Susan Schneider before she went to bed.

She left the house the next day assuming he was still asleep in a separate room in the home in Tiburon.

Williams' ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay, according to media reports.

President Barack Obama and the US first family joined the outpouring of grief, calling him "an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between."

"But he was one of a kind," Obama said.

Later in August the 66th Emmy Awards paid a heartfelt and somber tribute to Williams, his friend and fellow actor-comic Billy Crystal calling him "the brightest star in the comedy galaxy."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What you need to know about depression

MANILA – While it is a serious medical condition, depression can be cured and treated, a psychiatrist said.

According to St. Luke’s Medical Center psychiatrist Bernadette Manalo-Arcena, the key to battling depression is observing the signs and knowing when to seek medical help.

“When you see that you’re not functioning anymore, you don’t see happiness in your life, or if you feel that you are not your normal self anymore, you may be depressed,” Manalo-Arcena said in an interview on “Mornings@ANC” on Thursday.

“Depression can happen to anyone. Wala siyang pinipili, even if you’re on top of the world. Actually, mahirap ‘yun kasi a lot of expectations are coming from other people. There’s a lot of pressure,” she added.

Manalo-Arcena’s interview comes after reports confirmed that actor-comedian Robin Williams, who died on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), hanged himself with a belt in his home after he had sought treatment for depression.

She said death by depression should not happen to anyone “because there is a solution.”

Here are some things that you need to know about depression, as mentioned by Manalo-Arcena during the interview:

1. Sadness is different from depression

A person occasionally gets sad over certain things – from family and relationship problems to money woes and work issues – and this is normal, Manalo-Arcena said.

But if the person has been experiencing sadness for two straight weeks – meaning no “happy moments” in between – it’s time to take a second look as this may already mean depression.

“It’s not like I’m happy now and I’m sad later on. It’s continuous. Oras-oras, araw-araw, you are sad,” she said.

The sadness will eventually show on a person’s physical appearance, mainly in the form of weight loss and lethargy.

“You have no appetite, you always feel remorse or guilt about doing anything,” she said. “The things that used to matter to you are not important to you anymore.”

2. If you’re thinking about wanting to die, you may be depressed

Unless it is said purely as a joke and it is not mentioned consistently, a remark about wanting to die should be considered as a depression red flag, according to Manalo-Arcena.

“The thought and idea of wanting to hurt yourself, that is already a symptom of being depressed,” she said. “No need to wait for an attempt… A person saying that he wanted to die is [more than enough]. Even if it is situational and is not mentioned again.”

When asked about those who have committed suicide despite appearing happy in the company of their friends and family, Manalo-Arcena said: “There are people who would silently think about suicide and nobody knew about it. But they would do their normal chores, they would say hi to you. Tapos maya-maya, you would here that she died.”

3. What usually causes depression

A lot of factors may come into play when it comes to depression, but Manalo-Arcena mentioned some common causes based on her experience with patients.

“It could be genetics. It could be the use of alcohol, it could be the use of substance. It could be a chemical problem – very low serotonin can lead to anxiety and being depressed,” she said.

When asked about the issues that depressed people often struggle with, Manalo-Arcena said: “Relationship issues is a big factor, as well as financial problems and problems with work.”

4. Nothing wrong with going to a psychiatrist

Manalo-Arcena admitted that one of the reasons why many people continue to suffer from the effects of depression – suicide included – is the stigma associated with visiting a psychiatrist for treatment.

She said this is not only evident in the Philippines but also in other countries.

“There’s a stigma associated with psychiatry. But I hope that it would be lessened because of the fact that incidents of depression are increasing,” she said.

Aside from treating medical conditions, psychiatry can also significantly help a person cope with life’s stresses, Manalo-Arcena added.

“You will learn more about yourself… You can be more functional. You can work and you can love again,” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Robin Williams a 'true Disney Legend,' CEO says

The chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company joined celebrities and fans across the globe in expressing sadness over the untimely death of actor-comedian Robin Williams.

In a statement posted on Disney.com, Robert Iger referred to Williams as a “true Disney Legend,” noting his role as Genie in Disney’s hit animated film “Aladdin” and as an alien in “Mork & Mindy.”

The website also posted a photo of Genie and Aladdin hugging each other.

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Robin Williams, a wonderfully gifted man who touched our hearts and never failed to make us laugh. An incredible actor and a comedic genius, Robin will always be remembered for bringing some of the world’s favorite characters to life, from his zany alien on ABC’s Mork & Mindy to the irascible genie in Disney’s Aladdin.

“He was a true Disney Legend, a beloved member of our family, and he will be sorely missed,” Iger added. “We join Robin’s friends and fans everywhere in mourning, and offer our thoughts and condolences to his family during this difficult time.”

Williams was found dead on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) from an apparent suicide at his home in Northern California. He was 63.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What Robin Williams thinks of Filipino women

MANILA – Beyond the impact of his movies and television shows on Pinoy audiences, the late actor-comedian Robin Williams has deep connections to Filipinos.

Williams, who passed away on Monday, was married to a woman of Filipino lineage for almost 20 years. In 1989, he tied the knot with Marsha Garces, who is Filipino-Finnish.

“She’s Finnipino… You get lechon with white fish,” he said in jest in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer published in 2006.

“I have to say the Philippine women are very hot… Whew! They’re wonderful,” he added.

Williams met Garces while she was working as a nanny for his first son, Zachary. They have two children, Zelda and Cody.

Despite getting divorced in 2008, Williams said he and his children still make it a point to keep in touch with his Filipino kin.

In a separate interview with Inquirer in 2011 – right after his honeymoon with his third wife, graphic designer Susan Schneider – Williams even praised his former father-in-law and called him “a great man.”

“My ex-father-in-law, Leon, was amazing. They (my kids) keep up with the Filipino part of my family,” he said.

Days before his death, Williams posted an old photo of his daughter with Garces, Zelda, as a birthday greeting.



Zelda, for her part, posted a quote and a message on the photo-sharing site after learning of her father’s passing.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Actor Robin Williams found dead in apparent suicide: sheriff

(Reuters) - Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead on Monday from an apparent suicide at his home in Northern California, Marin County Sheriff's Office said. He was 63.

The sheriff's coroner's division said it suspects the death was a suicide due to asphyxia, but the cause of death is still under investigation.

Last month, the "Good Will Hunting" actor, who has struggled with addiction in the past, entered a Minnesota rehabilitation center to help him maintain sobriety.

His representatives at the time said Williams was not using drugs or alcohol but had gone to the center to "fine-tune and focus" his sobriety after working a longer-than-usual schedule.

(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and Ken Wills)