Hollywood actor Robert Carradine was found dead on Monday, February 23. It has now been revealed that the actor died by suicide after a two decade struggle with bioplar disorder. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was sequelae of an anoxic brain injury resulting from hanging. Sequelae are conditions resulting from a prior disease, injury, or attack. Robert’s body has been released to his family.

In an emotional statement, his family penned: "It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother, Robert Carradine, has passed away. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him." They added: "We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness."

In the statement, the actor's older brother and fellow actor, Keith Carradine, added that the family wished to shed light on Robert’s condition and bring awareness to mental health.

The 71-year-old was first diagnosed with the illness after his brother David died by asphyxiation in 2009.

Keith said: "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it. It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it and celebrate his beautiful soul.

"He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was."

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Robert's daughter, Ever Carradine, shared a heartbreaking statement on Instagram, paying tribute to her "sweet" father.

She wrote: "My sweet, funny dad, who’s only 20 years older than I am, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, is gone.

"Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back."

Ever added: "My dad was a lover, not a fighter. He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love.”

Hilary Duff, who played his on-screen daughter in the Disney hit, Lizzie McGuire, also shared a tearjerking tribute, writing that she "always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents."

The actress wrote: "This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family, and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents.

"I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him."

If you have been affected by this story, you can **contact the Samaritans, call 116 123, email **jo@samaritans.org or visithttps://www.samaritans.org/