Rick Warren’s Son Autopsied, Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound The Cause Of Death

An autopsy has been done on the son of Rick Warren, 27-year-old Matthew Warren, and the young man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday. The location of the wound has not been disclosed.

Rick Warren’s son was found dead late Friday afternoon at his home in Mission Viejo, California, and Supervising Deputy Dan Aikin of the Orange County Sheriff Coroner’s Department confirms that the autopsy revealed a time of death of around 10 am the same day.

Since Matthew’s death, Warren has been communicating with his congregants on social media, continually thanking supporters for an outpouring of love and prayer in the family’s most difficult time.

On Saturday, Warren’s Facebook page was updated with the following message, on behalf of Matthew’s family:

“We appreciate all of your prayer and support for Pastor Rick and Kay during this difficult situation. Show your support through prayer, commenting, liking, or sharing this post.”

Many Facebook followers commented to express understanding of the Warren family’s pain following Matthew’s suicide, with one comment reading:

“Tomorrow marks 18 months since my husband took his life after battling mental illness. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child but I pray you find comfort in the fact that regardless of the depth of the pain that God still has you in His hands and that you are prayed for!”

“I am now in the middle of your Life’s Healing Choices study and I want to thank you for all that you have done for so many people around the world! May God bless you and your family and I pray that this test becomes your testimony of God’s unfailing love!”

While Rick Warren’s son’s autopsy has been completed, police in Orange County are still trying to determine who owned the gun used.