Breaking Bad alum RJ Mitte’s mother, Dyna Mitte, is mourning the death of her son.
“We all go through some heartbreak in our life and we all deal with it differently,” Dyna told NBC News on Thursday, October 15. “If I had known anything and could have done anything different, I truly would have. I would have given my life for his life.”
Us confirmed on Monday, October 12, that RJ had died by suicide. He was 34.
According to Dyna, she spent time with RJ days before his death. After the mother-son duo’s weekend together, Dyna claimed that she called the actor on Monday morning but didn’t receive a response.
“I called him at 11. He didn’t answer,” she recalled to NBC. “I picked up lunch and went to take it to him, and that’s when I discovered him.”
Dyna said she had no knowledge of her son’s mental health struggles and claimed he never saw a therapist.
“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,’” she alleged, urging other parents to watch for signs with their own children. “There has to be a way to let them know to step back and to get that help.”
RJ, who was diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy at the age of 3, acted in projects such as One Eye Open, Talking to Strangers, The Unseen and Switched at Birth. He’s best known for playing Bryan Cranston’s son on Breaking Bad.
“Breaking Bad was an incredible, incredible experience for my son,” Dyna shared. “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 continued, “He was a great actor. He was my son. He was an activist, a 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.”
Since RJ’s death, Breaking Bad actors including Cranston, 70, and Aaron Paul have offered their condolences to Dyna and her family.
“It was an incredible, emotional conversation for both of us,” she told NBC.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org.
