Entertainment
The mother of three-time Daytime Emmy winner and “General Hospital” star Billy Miller has come clean that her son died by suicide after a grueling battle with mental health issues.
“He fought a long and brave battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to get the disease under control,” Patricia Miller wrote in her statement Soap Opera Reviewshe first thanked fans for their love and support following the tragic death of her son.
“He loved his family, his friends and his fans, but in the end the disease won and he gave up his life.”
Patricia issued a statement to address the 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 was “desperately trying to come to terms with our loss” and said she had “nothing more to say” about her son’s death.
“I want to personally thank the many fans and personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers and condolences sent to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ.”
“The Young and the Restless” star’s agent confirmed to The Post on Sunday that he has battled manic depression.
Miller died two days before turning 44 in Austin, Texas.
Miller was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 17, 1979 — he spent his youth in Grand Prairie, Texas — and later attended the University of Texas at Austin.
After 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 – remaining on the show until 2014.
His efforts earned him three Daytime Emmy Awards: 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 on “General Hospital” from 2014 to 2019.
He also had credits in Suits starring Meghan Markle Showtime’s “Ray Donovan,” a Apple TV+ “I’ll tell the truth.”
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 experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free, confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
