Inside tragic life of King Richard’s grandson Alphonse Williams who never met coach – as final words before OD revealed
KING Richard's young grandson Alphonse Williams opened up about his depression battle just days before his tragic death, his mom revealed.
The 21-year-old nephew of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams, who was estranged from the famous relatives, died earlier this month of a suspected overdose.
His heartbroken mom Sabrina, 57, revealed he struggling with depression after a recent diagnosis of Peyronie's disease, which causes the curvature of the penis.
"This hit him so hard," she exclusively told The Sun. "He was just about to turn 22, [but] he felt like his life was ending.
"On Monday night [before he died], he said, 'This is not going to be a life I want to live.'
The news comes as:
- King Richard’s grandson tragically takes his own life
- Inside Richard’s bitter fight with his third wife
- Unearthed docs reveal she accused him of being ‘erratic’
- Inside $1.1M mansion where Richard trained Serena & Venus
Sabrina revealed that Alphonse had spoken to his dad, her ex-husband, and expressed how much he was suffering the day before his tragic passing.
"On Thursday night, I thought he was studying and, at nine o'clock, I knocked on his bedroom door and he didn't answer," she recalled.
"At the back of my mind, I said, 'Maybe...', but then told myself, 'No, Sabrina, you can't think like that.' I just figured he fell asleep.
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"At four in the morning, I got up, the light was still on. I said, 'Okay, he's studying', but really, in my mind, I knew he was gone. I just didn't want to face it.
"At 7.30, I texted, he didn't answer, I immediately opened the door to his room and he had taken his life that night."
The grieving mom, who lives in and shared a home with Alphonse and his older brother Elijah, 23, said he tried to take his own life two and a half years ago and she prayed for him.
Alphonse, who also had bipolar disorder, is believed to have taken an overdose of unknown medication.
His autopsy results have not yet been released.
FAMILY IN MOURNING
Sabrina previously opened up about her family's bitter feud, and says her estranged dad Richard, 80, and daughters Serena and Venus never showed any interest in Alphonse.
"The rest of the family are now dead to me," she said of her estranged father and siblings.
She is the sporting duo's half-sister from Richard's first marriage to to her mom Betty Johnson.
Sabrina told The Sun last year how when she was just eight-years-old he told her he was going out to buy her a bike before walking out of the door, never to return.
She blasted her father was a serial philanderer who may have numerous secret sons and daughters across the US.
PAINFUL PAST
"I know there's more siblings, I was told between fifteen and nineteen all over the place, from LA to Louisiana," she said.
"My mom always argued with my dad about his affairs, he was a serial cheat. I remember that was always the main thing they'd talk about.
"He is a selfish man, lives only for himself, he just uses his kids to get what he needs. He's not a dad, he was just a sperm donor.
"He had five kids, and left them to my mom to grow up in poverty, and never once helped."
Reflecting on his role playing Richard, actor Will Smith said: "[He] is a very difficult and a very complicated character.
In my mind, I knew he was gone. I just didn't want to face it.
Sabrina Williams
"This is a film about family, about faith. It's a film about big dreams, you'd have to be a Grinch to walk out of this film and not be inspired."
But Richard's journey did not begin with him training Venus and Serena like shown in the movie, which is set to be a big hit at the Oscars next month.
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Sabrina, who works as a hospice chaplain, says that actor Smith should be "ashamed of himself" for starring in the film as it does not tell the full story.
As previously revealed by The Sun, Richard is now being looked after by another son - Chavoita LeSane - who has a lengthly rap sheet, as the former coach is "incapacitated" and barely able to talk after two strokes.
You're not alone
SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.
There were "more than two and half times as many suicides" in the US than there were homicides, according to the .
For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the "second leading cause of death" and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.
Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.
This is why The-Sun.com launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, , 1-800-273-TALK
- Crisis Text Line, , Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Hotline, , 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project, , 1-866-488-7386
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