Robin Williams' Widow Says Depression Didn't Cause Her Husband's Death

For one of the first times since Robin Williams took his life in 2014, Susan Williams, his widow, broke her silence about his death.

In an interview with PEOPLE magazine, Susan opened up about the actual cause of her husband's death.

Robin apparently suffered from a brain disease called Lewy body dementia, or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia following Alzheimer's disease, PEOPLE reports.

Susan explained in the year before Robin's death, the symptoms of the disease started to become severe. She said he suffered from anxiety, delusions and impaired mobility.

Susan told PEOPLE,

It was not depression that killed Robin. Depression was one of let's call it 50 symptoms and it was a small one.

Doctors were unable to fully figure out or conclusively understand Robin's condition until his autopsy. Susan added,

I know now the doctors, the whole team was doing exactly the right things. It's just that this disease was faster than us and bigger than us. We would have gotten there eventually.

Susan also spoke about doing what she can to help others suffering from DLB. She said,

I've spent this last year trying to find out what killed Robin. To understand what we were fighting, what we were in the trenches fighting and one of the doctors said, 'Robin was very aware that he was losing his mind and there was nothing he could do about it.'

She continued,

This was a very unique case and I pray to God that it will shed some light on Lewy bodies for the millions of people and their loved ones who are suffering with it. Because we didn't know. He didn't know.

Robin Williams tragically died too young. He will forever be missed by fans, friends and family.

Citations: 'It Was Not Depression That Killed Robin': Susan Williams Opens up to PEOPLE About Husband's Battle with Lewy Body Dementia (PEOPLE)