Matthew Mindler Suffered From 'Crippling Anxiety' Before Committing Suicide, Says Former Child Actor's Mom
Matthew Mindler's mother says that the former child actor had been struggling with severe anxiety for several years, but seemed fine in the days leading up to his suicide.
Monica Mindler moved her son into Millersville University in Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 19, and said he appeared to be enjoying his first week on the college campus.
Monica told TMZ she regularly kept in contact with the Our Idiot Brother actor during his first few days at school, with Matthew telling his mom that he met with an advisor about getting involved on campus. According to Monica, the 19-year-old was looking into starting a computer/programming club and had an upcoming job interview with the IT department.
Matthew — who also appeared in As the World Turns, Frequency and Chad: An American Boy — told his mom he was making friends, per the outlet.
While everything seemed to be going OK for Matthew, he never returned to his dorm room Tuesday night, August 24. Matthew was last seen "walking from his residence hall, West Villages toward the Centennial Dr. parking lot area at 8:11 p.m," the news release from the school stated. Matthew attended class Monday and Tuesday, but not Wednesday.
He was reported missing the following day and found dead Saturday, August 28, in Manor Township near the campus.
The Lancaster County Coroner's Office ruled that Matthew died by suicide. However, his cause of death has not yet been confirmed as the toxicity results are pending, per TMZ.
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Matthew's grieving mother revealed her last text exchange with her son occurred on Tuesday night, during which she told the student she would be picking him up from school on Friday, August 27 — the day before he was found dead — so he could spend the weekend back at home. Monica wanted him to have time to unwind and relax away from school, knowing he has "crippling anxiety," according to the outlet.
Monica reportedly texted Matthew Wednesday morning, but didn't receive a response. Her message went through as a text instead of iMessages, indicating his phone was either off or in a bad service area.
After still not hearing from her son, Monica contacted his dorm for a wellness check and got in touch with the actor's roommate on Wednesday evening. The mourning mom was told no one had seen her son since Tuesday night — and people were concerned.
Monica drove to MU on Thursday, August 26, and got the police involved. The University police then filed a missing adult report with the National Crime Information Center, as well as notified local police of Matthew's disappearance.
While wrapping up her statement to TMZ, Monica said: "We appreciate the support, concern and outpouring of prayers from Millersville University, the students and the community."
"My heart is crushed and my mind cannot yet fathom this reality," Monica heartbreakingly added.
