While they did not know the culprit behind his mental battle at the time, Schneider says her husband knew something was definitely wrong from the start.
"He was aware of it. He was keeping it together as best as he could, but the last month he could not. It was like the dam broke." she said, adding that while he was scheduled to go for neurocognitive testing around the time of his death, she believes his suicide was his way of regaining control. "I think he was just saying no and I don't blame him one bit."
After her assistant found him unconscious in their home, Schneider rushed to the scene to see her husband for one of the very last times.
"I got to tell him I forgive you with all my heart," she remembered. "You're the bravest man I've ever known."
Now, more than a year after that day, she reflects on their relationship with the utmost fondness.
"It's the best love I ever dreamed of. You know, its what I always dreamed a love would be," she said, later adding, "My favorite movie of Robin Williams was Robin Williams being a human being, not an actor—the best movie in the world."
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
