The mother of tragic Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte has broken her silence on his shock suicide aged just 34 – and revealed she was the one who found him dead.
A county official confirmed that Mitte, known for playing Walter White Jr on the hit AMC show from 2008 to 2013, died at 34 on Monday in Texas – and that a death investigation is ongoing.
It was later confirmed Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), had died by suicide.
Mitte's mother Dyna said she called her son on Monday morning but was unable to reach him. She added this was not unusual as he often slept until midday.
She told NBC News: '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.'
Dyna said for three months she had 'been offering for him to go to therapy, trying to get him to go there, but he was like, "No, I’ve got it. It’s OK. I’m handling it."'
The mother of tragic Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte has broken her silence on his shock suicide aged just 34 - and revealed she was the one who found him dead - pictured 2014 Dyna and RJ MItte
Mitte played Cranston's teenage son in the hit TV show for five seasons; The two seen in a still
A county official confirmed to TMZ that Mitte, known for playing Walter White Jr on the hit AMC show from 2008 to 2013, died at 34 on Monday in Texas – and that a death investigation is ongoing; Pictured 2014
Dyna said she wishes she had taken him 'screaming and yelling' to get therapy.
She believes his decision to take his own life was a 'spur of the moment' decision.
According to Dyna, Mitte was dealing with issues that he was 'very hurt over,' citing a close friend who told her this.
She said: '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.'
'If me speaking out today might save someone else from going through the same situation, because a mother should never have to find their child this way. If I can say one person is helped, I think that’s what RJ would expect.
'He truly, truly loved each and every cast member, each and every crew member. I couldn’t have asked for him to learn from anyone better.'
She lauded Mitte for being a 'special soul' and a 'great actor and philanthropist.'
Mitte appeared in 56 episodes of Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013 and had also appeared in The Recall and The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!).
He was diagnosed with CP aged three and advocated for actors and those working in the entertainment industry with disabilities.
His representative told TMZ: 'It is with profound sadness we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte.
She told NBC News, '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' - pictured 2014
'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. Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.'
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Mitte and the Brownsville Police Department for further comment.
Emmy-winning Breaking Bad – which also starred Aaron Paul as White's former inept student turned collaborator Jesse Pinkman – ran from 2008 to 2013 and garnered widespread acclaim from both fans and critics around the world.
Mitte's shock death comes a year after the actor got engaged to his girlfriend Kennedy Suarez on her 30th birthday.
'I'm thrilled to have found my person, my partner in life who makes me want to be better, no matter what we're doing,' Mitte told People.
He gushed: 'Kennedy is my everything and I can't wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next.'
Mitte proposed at the 56th annual Dia del Sol 2025 benefit in Carlsbad, California. The fundraising event benefitted United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of San Diego, for which he is an ambassador.
Following the engagement, Suarez took to Instagram to write: 'My 30th felt like a fairytale…. I have the man of my dreams by my side & we are doing what we love most — helping others.'
The pair lived in Brownsville, Texas, and the actor was president of The Mitte Foundation, his family's Austin-based charity.
Mitte's shock death comes a year after the actor got engaged to his girlfriend Kennedy Suarez on her 30th birthday
Following the engagement, Suarez took to Instagram to write, 'My 30th felt like a fairytale'; pictured October 5 2025
The Foundation rejuvenates and funds South Texas-based marginalized communities.
CP is a group of disorders affecting movement, posture and balance due to abnormal brain development or damage.
Symptoms range from muscle stiffness and poor motor control to difficulties with balance and coordination.
During his life, Mitte called for larger representation of disabled actors on television and said he 'utilized everything' he knew about his disability for Breaking Bad.
'I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without my disability,' he told the Irish Examiner in 2016. 'I utilized everything I know about living with cerebral palsy for my role in Breaking Bad.'
'We know lots of progress is being made but the industry must do more to help disabled people work both in front of and behind the camera,' he said. 'During the Paralympics there will be more disabled people than ever before on TV but this shouldn’t be something that just happens every four years.'
'I would love to switch on my TV and see a disabled person talking about something they are genuinely interested in or acting out a part that doesn’t just focus on their impairment.'
In 2019, five years after Breaking Bad, Mitte admitted he still missed being a part of the show's cast.
'That's going to follow me 'til the day I die,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald as he reflected on his time on the hit AMC series.
The role took Mitte's career to a whole new level and 'opened a lot of doors' for him.
'Breaking Bad put me on the map,' he told The Independent in 2021. 'You’re only talking to me today because of it. None of my projects would exist without that show and the opportunity it gave me. It really opened a lot of doors for me. I wouldn’t have the media profile and the following that I have today without Walter White Jr. I would just be some kid who lives in Texas.'
Mitte pictured during one of his final red carpet appearances on September 30 at the screening of Talking to Strangers
Mitte hails from Mississippi and was six years old when he found out he was adopted.
'I was about six when I was told that I was adopted' he told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2019. 'My stepbrother heard my mom and my then-stepdad talking and said to me, “You are adopted. They don’t love you.” I didn’t believe him but my parents confirmed that I was. I was like, “Okay.”'
'I’ve never felt the need to track my birth mother,' he said. 'Medically, I’d like to know my family history, but until I feel that need, I have enough family and friends. I don’t need any more.'
Mitte's mother chose to adopt him as she believed she would be unable to have her own children due to an ovarian cancer diagnosis.
'The reason Mom adopted me was because she’d had ovarian cancer and was told she couldn’t have children. Then, magically, 11 years later, my sister Lacianne came along.'
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org