RJ Mitte's Mother Recalls Heartbreak of Finding Son After Suicide

Dyna Mitte, the mother of actor RJ Mitte, has spoken about the tragic morning she discovered her son had died by suicide at the age of 34. A county official confirmed Mitte, known for his role as Walter White Jr. in the AMC series "Breaking Bad," died in Texas on Monday, with a death investigation ongoing. It was later confirmed that Mitte, who lived with cerebral palsy, died by suicide.

Dyna Mitte told NBC News that she called her son on Monday morning but did not receive an answer, which she initially attributed to his habit of sleeping late. "So I called him at 11. He didn’t answer, so I picked up lunch and went to take it to him, and that’s when I discovered him," she recounted.

She shared that for three months prior to his death, she had been encouraging him to seek therapy, but he insisted he was handling his issues. "No, I’ve got it. It’s OK. I’m handling it," Mitte had told her. His mother expressed regret, wishing she had insisted he get therapy "screaming and yelling." She believes his decision to end his life was "spur of the moment" and that he was dealing with issues that had deeply hurt him.

"We all go through some heartbreak in our life and, and we all deal with it differently. If I had known anything and could have done anything different, I truly would have. I would have given my life for his life," Dyna Mitte said. She hopes that by speaking out, she might help prevent others from experiencing similar tragedies.

Mitte's representative shared a statement expressing profound sadness at the passing of the actor, philanthropist, and disability rights advocate. He was best known for his role in "Breaking Bad," where he brought authenticity to his portrayal of Walter White Jr., drawing from his own experiences with cerebral palsy. He used his platform to advocate for disability awareness and inclusion, serving as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.

"Breaking Bad" aired from 2008 to 2013 and garnered widespread acclaim. Mitte appeared in 56 episodes of the series. He also acted in "The Recall" and "The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!)."

Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three. He was a vocal advocate for the representation of disabled actors in television and film, stating in 2016 that he "utilized everything" he knew about living with CP for his role in "Breaking Bad." He called for greater opportunities for disabled individuals both in front of and behind the camera, emphasizing that such representation should not be limited to quadrennial events like the Paralympics.

In 2019, Mitte reflected on his time on "Breaking Bad," admitting he still missed the cast and crew, and acknowledged the show's significant impact on his career, stating, "Breaking Bad put me on the map."

Mitte's death occurred about a year after he became engaged to his girlfriend, Kennedy Suarez. He proposed on her 30th birthday at the Dia del Sol 2025 benefit, a fundraising event for United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego. Suarez described the occasion as "a fairytale" and expressed her joy in having her "partner in life" by her side.

The couple lived in Brownsville, Texas. Mitte was also president of The Mitte Foundation, a charity based in Austin that supports marginalized communities in South Texas.

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders affecting movement, posture, and balance due to abnormal brain development or damage. Symptoms can include muscle stiffness, poor motor control, and difficulties with balance and coordination.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. on 988. An online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.