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Coroner Defends Release of Graphic Robin Williams Death Details After Public Outcry

Robin Williams attends an event on May 15, 2013
The details of Robin Williams' death were made public, to outcry from fans

Just following the law. Marin County Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Deputy Coroner Lt. Keith Boyd is defending himself and his office's decision to release graphic details about the death of Robin Williams.

"The Sheriff's Office understands how the release of the kind of information you heard yesterday may be viewed as disturbing by some, and as unnecessary by others," Boyd said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to NBC Bay Area. "But under California law, all that information is considered 'public information,' and we are precluded from denying access to it."

Related: PHOTOS: Stars remember Robin Williams

On Tuesday, after the untimely death of the late Williams on Monday, Aug. 11, the Marin County Sheriff's Office coroner held a press conference to give a statement on the star's passing and how it happened. 

Related: PHOTOS: Robin Williams' greatest roles

Extensive information on Williams' suicide, including how he hanged himself in his home and how he was found, was made public, to much public outcry. 

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrities we lost in 2014

"Frankly, it would have been our personal preference to withhold a lot of what we disclosed to the press yesterday, but the California Public Records Act does not give us that kind of latitude," Boyd continued in the statement to NBC. "These kinds of cases, whether they garner national attention or not, are very difficult for everyone involved."

Williams' passing has been met with extensive grieving from fans, family, and friends alike, around the globe. The late Oscar winner has been remembered not just for his celebrated career, but for his kind heart and warm spirit. See more touching tributes to Robin here.

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