What Was RJ Mitte's Cause of Death? 'Breaking Bad' Star Dead at 34

RJ Mitte, the actor known for his role as Walter "Flynn" White Jr. in Breaking Bad, died on October 12 at the age of 34, his representative confirmed.

The disability rights advocate passed away in Brownsville, Texas.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte," the representative said in a statement.

"RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter 'Flynn' White Jr. on AMC's critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion," the message continued. "Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's. He also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities."

The statement concluded, "At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte's family and close ones."

Here's what to know so far about Mitte's cause of death.

The Brownsville Police Department said officers responded to a call at approximately 12:50 p.m. and found Mitte dead upon arriving at his home.

The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation," the Brownsville Police Department said.

Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told The Associated Press she declared Mitte dead at around 1:30 p.m. She said she could not provide a cause of death and that an autopsy would be performed.

No foul play was suspected, according to police.

While Mitte's representative did not disclose an official cause of death in the initial statement, they later told People the Mitte Foundation president died by suicide.

TMZ was the first to report Mitte's cause of death, citing a county official.

Mitte was actively promoting his new film, Talking to Strangers, in the weeks before his death. He also attended a September 30 screening of the film at Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif.

On October 7, the activist shared what would become his final social media post, featuring a clip from Joe Vulpis' eponymous podcast in which he discussed his role in Talking to Strangers and his experience on Breaking Bad.

"I just want to top Breaking Bad, that's the hardest," he said. "That is literally said, a bar for myself as a young man that is kinda unattainable. I tell people, 'Look, it's a long way down from the top of the mountain."

Born and raised in Jackson, Miss., Mitte was 3 when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition he shared with his Breaking Bad character.

"It was challenging, but I never saw it as a difference. It's something I have lived with my whole life, so I knew nothing else. When I went to school, I discovered I was 'abnormal' compared to most of the other kids. But for the most part, I believe I grew up with a very normal life," he told Disability Horizons in 2024 about growing up with spastic cerebral palsy.

His experiences helped shape his advocacy for people with disabilities. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's and as president of the Mitte Foundation, a non-profit corporation "investing in organizations and programs that improve the quality of life of Central Texans."