The Purpose Driven Life Author and Pastor Rick Warren announced today that his youngest son Matthew Warren took his own life the day before, young Matthew Warren had been suffering from a mental illness, depression and had suicidal thoughts.
27-year-old Matthew D.Warren was born on July 18, 1985 to 59-year-old Rick Warren and his wife since 1979 Kay Warren, his older siblings are Amy now Amy Hilliker married to Thomas Hilliker and Joshua Warren married to Jamie Warren .
According to media Matthew Warren has been member of Saddleback Church for a long time, sadly he had also been suffering from a mental illness and severe depression.
He died at approx. 10 a.m from a self inflected gun shot wound at his home in Mission Viejo, CA. Pastor Rick posted the following announcement about Matthew Warren’s tragic suicide.
Found a Facebook account possible belonged to Matt Warren
To my dear staff,
Over the past 33 years we’ve been together through every kind of crisis. Kay and I’ve been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill. Today, we need your prayer for us.
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.
You who watched Matthew grow up knew he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man. He had a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room. He’d then make a bee-line to that person to engage and encourage them.
But only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. 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.
Thank you for your love and prayers. We love you back.
Pastor Rick
Our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew Warren’s parents, brother, sister and other members of his family and congregation.
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