An autopsy has determined that the son of renowned pastor Rick Warren died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Orange County Sheriff's office.
Jim Amormino, the Orange County Sheriff's spokesman, said an autopsy conducted on Monday found that Matthew Warren had died at around 10 a.m. on Friday at his home in Mission Viejo.
Rick Warren, an evangelical leader at the Saddleback Valley Community mega-church in Southern California and a bestselling author, announced the tragic death Saturday morning via an email sent to his church staff.
"No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. Our youngest son, Matthew, age 27, and a lifelong member of Saddleback, died today," wrote the Christian clergyman speaking of himself and his wife Kay.
He described his 27-year-old son, who suffered from mental illness, as "an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many." Throughout his life, Matthew suffered from deep depression and suicidal thoughts, said Warren.
"Despite the best healthcare available, this was an illness that was never fully controlled and the emotional pain resulted in his decision to take his life," reads the statement. "After a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life."
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