Billy Miller’s family is speaking out after the soap opera actor’s untimely death.
In a statement issued toSoap Opera Digest, Billy’s mom Patricia Miller expressed her gratitude for the support she’s received since her son’s death and shared that Billy “surrendered his life” after “a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression.”
“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 — Billy Miller,” she said. “He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease.”
Leon Bennett/FilmMagic
“He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life,” she continued. “The other causes of death being told are not true. I wish they were but they just aren’t.”
“We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss,” Patricia concluded. “I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support.”
Billy Miller appears on The Young and the Restless.Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty
Miller, who would have turned 44 shortly after his death, died on Friday, Sept. 15 in Texas. His manager told PEOPLE theGeneral HospitalandThe Young and the Restlessstar was “struggling with manic depression when he died.”
The soap star’s career began onAll My Childrenin 2007. His time as Billy Abbott onThe Young and the Restlessled to three Daytime Emmy Awards wins for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series in 2010 and 2013, as well as outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2014.
He stepped away from the role in 2014.
Next up for Miller wasGeneral Hospital, where he played Jason Morgan for two years while the character’s previous portrayerSteve Burtonwas off-screen. He ended hisGHrun as Jason’s twin brother Drew Cain.
Miller received a flood of tributes from his former costars after news of his death went public.
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source: people.com
