Billy Miller's mom reflects on son's 'valiant battle' against bipolar depression before his death

Days after the unexpected death of soap star Billy Miller, his mother is speaking out about her son's mental health struggles.

"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," Patricia Miller said in a statement to Soap Opera Digest. "He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years."

Patricia explained that her son, who died Friday just days before his 44th birthday, "did everything he could to control the disease" in his lifetime. She continued, "He loved his family, his friends and his fans, but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life."

Michael Caulfield/Getty Images Billy Miller

While the initial report of Billy's death didn't disclose a cause of death, it was noted that the actor had been battling manic depression. In her statement, Patricia dispelled any rumors surrounding the circumstances of his passing.

"The other causes of death being told are not true," she concluded. "I wish they were but they just aren't. We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss. I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support."

Billy, a Daytime Emmy-winning actor, got his start in a 2006 episode of CSI: NY. He is best known for his performances as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, which he starred on from 2008 until 2014, and as Jason Morgan (and his twin brother Andrew Cain) on General Hospital from 2014 until 2019.

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