The mother of three-time Daytime Emmy winner and “General Hospital” star Billy Miller set the record straight that her son died of suicide after a strenuous battle with mental health issues.
“He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease,” Patricia Miller wrote in her statement to Soap Opera Digest, first thanking fans for their love and support in the wake of her son’s tragic death.
“He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end, the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life.”
Patricia issued the statement to address rumors circulating about how her 43-year-old son died were “not true” following his death on Friday.
“I wish they were but they just aren’t,” the mother wrote.
She revealed the family is “desperately trying to deal with our loss” and said she had “nothing further to say” on her son’s death.
“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.”
“The Young and the Restless” stars agent confirmed to The Post on Sunday that he struggled with manic depression.
Miller died two days shy of turning 44 in Austin, Texas.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Sept. 17, 1979 — Miller spent his youth in Grand Prairie, Texas — later attending the University of Texas at Austin.
Following college, he signed as a model with Wilhelmina after working in the mailroom at Industry Entertainment.
Miller joined the cast of “The Young and the Restless” in 2008 as the fourth iteration of Billy Abbott — staying with the show till 2014.
He snagged three Daytime Emmys for his efforts: two for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
The Soap star then moved on to play Jason Morgan and Drew Cain in “General Hospital” from 2014 to 2019.
He also had credits in the Meghan Markle-fronted “Suits,” Showtime’s “Ray Donovan,” and Apple TV+’s “Truth Be Told.”
Miller is survived by his mother, Patricia, sister Megan, brother-in-law Ronnie, nephew Grayson and niece Charley.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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