RJ Mitte’s Mom Recalls Morning of His Death, Says a ‘Mother Should Never Have to Find Their Child This Way’
RJ Mitte’s Mom Recalls Morning of His Death, Says a ‘Mother Should Never Have to Find Their Child This Way’
Angel Saunders, Sean Neumann, Ingrid VasquezFri, October 16, 2026 at 1:19 PM UTC
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RJ Mitte and his mother, Dyna Mitte, attend the 2025 Best In Drag Show at The Orpheum Theatre on October 05, 2025Credit: Amanda Edwards/GettyThe ‘Breaking Bad’ actor, 34, was found in his home on Monday, Oct. 12 -
Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte was found dead in his Brownsville, Texas, home on Monday, Oct. 12
The actor’s mother, Dyna Mitte, is speaking out about the loss, recalling the harrowing moment she found him
RJ frequently used his platform to advocate for disability awareness and inclusion
RJ Mitte‘s mom, Dyna Mitte, is speaking out following the actor’s death.
The Breaking Bad star was found dead in his Brownsville, Texas, home on Monday, Oct. 12.
Days before, RJ spent the weekend with his family and spoke with several friends, his mother Dyna told NBC News in an interview published on Thursday, Oct. 15.
His mother said that she called him on Monday morning, and he didn’t pick up, which wasn’t unusual because he often slept till noon.
“So I called him at 11,” Dyna said. “He didn’t answer, so I picked up lunch and went to take it to him, and that’s when I discovered him.”
RJ Mitte and his mother, Dyna Mitte, arrive at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy AwardsCredit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Mitte died by suicide, his representative previously confirmed to PEOPLE. The Brownsville Police Department previously noted that his manner of death was still undetermined and remained under investigation.
Dyna told NBC News she believes Mitte’s death was a “spur of the moment” decision, and that he did not leave a note.
She added that a close friend told her Mitte had previously disclosed issues “that he was very hurt over.”
“For the last three months, I’d 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,’ ”Dyna said.
She now wishes she had taken him “screaming and yelling” to therapy.
Dyna told NBC News she plans to speak publicly about his death to help other families.
“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,” said Dyna. “If I can say one person is helped, I think that’s what RJ would expect.”
“We all go through some heartbreak in our life and, and we all deal with it differently,” she added. “If I had known anything and could have done anything different, I truly would have. I would have given my life for his life.”
RJ Mitte in ‘Breaking Bad’ — Season 4, Episode 6Credit: Ursula Coyote/AMC
Mitte starred as Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad across the show’s five seasons from 2008 to 2013. Dyna credited the series as “an incredible, incredible experience for my son.”
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“He truly, truly loved each and every cast member, each and every crew member,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for him to learn from anyone better.”
She remembers her son as a “special soul”, a “great actor,” and philanthropist. “I just want him to be remembered for all the wonderful things he’s done in life, and all the people he’s impacted.”
In a statement announcing his death on Monday, Mitte’s family said in part, “RJ Mitte was best known for his role as Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. on AMC’s critically acclaimed, award-winning series Breaking Bad.”
The statement continued, “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,” his family said. “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. At this time, we ask people to respect the privacy of RJ Mitte’s family and close ones.”
Many of the Mississippi native’s costars also spoke out, offering their condolences and sharing fond memories.
Bryan Cranston, who portrayed RJ’s father on Breaking Bad, shared an emotional message to Instagram hours after his passing.
“RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm,” Cranston, 70, wrote, in part. “Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination.”
RJ Mitte at the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Feb. 9, 2020Credit: Michael Kovac/Getty
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Bob Odenkirk, known as Saul Goodman on the series, told PEOPLE that RJ was a “good person who shared his personal story and his time to help out others.”
“Whenever I saw him, he was meeting the world with positivity and a strong desire to connect,” the actor added. “This is simply, deeply sad.”
In addition to Breaking Bad, RJ earned the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award in 2013, and also appeared in ABC Family’s Switched at Birth, superhero series The Guardians of Justice, and had early appearances in Hannah Montana and Everybody Hates Chris.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
