Michelle Rounds, the ex-wife of comedian Rosie O’Donnell, was found dead at her home Monday from an apparent suicide.

She was 46 years old.

O’Donnell confirmed Rounds’ death in a statement to TMZ.

“I am saddened to hear about this terrible tragedy. Mental illness is a very serious issue affecting many families,” O’Donnell told the gossip website. “My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle’s family, her wife and their child.”

O’Donnell and Rounds married in 2012 and seven months later the two adopted their daughter, Dakota, who is now four years old. They couple broke up in 2014, and O’Donnell filed for divorce the following year citing an irretrievably broken relationship as the reason. The divorce was then finalized in March 2016.

Rounds’ mother also shared a statement encouraging people to donate to the National Suicide Prevention.

“If anyone would like to give to the National Suicide Prevention it would also be greatly appreciated,” she said, according to TMZ. “There are so many out there in this world that have demons that they think suicide is the only way out.

Rounds had been suffering from mental illness for some time. In 2015, Rounds had overdosed on pills after threatening to end her life. Sources say that O’Donnell became aware of Rounds’ plan and called her to try and talk her out of it. O’Donnell remained on the phone with her then-estranged wife while someone called 911. EMTs rushed Rounds to a hospital in Nyack, N.Y., where O’Donnell was said to have comforted her while she recovered.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24 hour, free and confidential support for those in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources.

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Brian Salemi

Article by Brian Salemi

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