Son of evangelical pastor Rick Warren commits suicide
Pastor Rick Warren attends The Elton John AIDS Foundation and UNAIDS breakfast at the Russell Senate Office Building on July 24, 2012 in Washington, DC.
The youngest son of evangelical pastor Rick Warren committed suicide Saturday after a long battle with mental illness.
ABC News reported Warren sent an email to the congregation of his Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, expressing his grief and sorrow at the loss of his son, Matthew, 27.
The author of the best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life,” said the tragedy happened in a moment of despair after a fun family night together.
“But only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided,” Warren wrote.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?