Soap opera star Billy Miller's cause of death revealed, officials rule a suicide by gunshot wound

Actor Billy Miller's untimely demise has been confirmed as a tragic suicide, according to the findings of the Travis County Medical Examiner's report. The report unveiled that Miller, mere days away from his 44th birthday, succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his residence in Austin, Texas. For the unversed, he was found deceased in the bathtub of his home, reported Entertainment Tonight.

Was Billy Miller battling with bipolar disorder?

The document revealed that Miller had been battling bipolar disorder and depression, shedding light on the actor's prolonged struggle with mental health issues. Found in the bathtub of his home, Miller was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving a collection of letters hinting at suicidal intent and providing instructions for others, Entertainment Tonight reported.

Further examination through a toxicology report unveiled the presence of ethanol (alcohol), traces of cocaine, diphenhydramine (allergy and cold medication), marijuana, and amphetamines in Miller's system at the time of his passing.

Billy's family shares a statement

Patricia Miller, mother of the late actor, expressed gratitude for the love and support from fans and friends. In her statement to Soap Opera Digest, she clarified that Billy Miller had fiercely fought against bipolar depression for years but ultimately lost the battle to the disease.

Patricia's statement read, "I want to personally thank the many fans & personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers & condolences sent to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ -- Billy Miller. He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease. He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life. The other causes of death being told are not true. I wish they were but they just aren’t. We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss. I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support."

Miller's legacy in the entertainment industry spanned from his initial days as a model with Wilhelmina to acclaimed roles in soap operas. His noteworthy portrayal of characters like Richie Novak in All My Children and Billy Abbott in The Young and the Restless earned him three Daytime Emmy Awards.