/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ April 9, 2013, Orange County Register, Coroner: Matthew Warren died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, by Erika I. Ritchie,
April 9, 2013, Orange County Register, Coroner: Matthew Warren died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, by Erika I. Ritchie,
from web site
April 9, 2013, Orange County Register, Coroner: Matthew Warren died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, by Erika I. Ritchie,
SANTA ANA – Matthew Warren, son of Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren, died Friday as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot, Orange County Sheriff's Department officials said Monday.
Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino said Matthew Warren was found at 5:25 p.m. Friday following a call to police asking them to check on a residence in the 25100 block of Pradera Drive in Mission Viejo, where officials said Matthew Warren lived. It is unclear who notified police, Amormino said.
Matthew Warren
COURTESY OF SADDLEBACK CHURCH
Results of an autopsy done Monday by the coroner's office show that Matthew Warren shot himself around 10 a.m. Friday, Amormino said. It is unclear whether Matthew Warren used a gun he owned or how he gained access to a gun, Amormino said. The injury does not appear to have been an accident, he said.
Rick Warren wrote an email at 1 a.m. Saturday morning to church members and local clergy asking for support and prayers. He talked about his son's struggles with mental illness over much of his life and at least one previous suicide attempt.
"But only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts," Warren wrote. "In spite of America's best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.
"Kay and I often marveled at his courage to keep moving in spite of relentless pain. I'll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give relief, Matthew said 'Dad, I know I'm going to heaven. Why can't I just die and end this pain?' But he kept going for another decade."
Following Rick Warren's public announcement, congregants and clergy in Orange County and beyond expressed support for the Warren family. Saddleback Church's seven O.C. campuses were filled to capacity as pastor Tom Holladay, Rick Warren's brother-in-law, led a sermon Warren had planned to share himself as part of a series titled "Surviving Tough Times." The topic for Sunday: "What Do You Do on the Worst Day of Your Life?"
When Rick Warren wrote the series, he likely had no idea he and his family would be the focus of the message, church officials said Saturday. He learned after his son's death that he could count on support from his congregation.
On Monday, he tweeted: "When the tide is out in your life, true friends rush in. Thank you."
Contact the writer: 949-492-5152 or eritchie@ocregister.com or twitter.com/.lagunaini
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