Matthew Warren Dead: Son of Pastor Rick Warren Commits Suicide at 27 Following Lifelong Battle With Mental Illness

Mega church pastor Rick Warren's son Matthew Warren is dead at the age of 27 after committing suicide. Pastor Rick Warren said today (Saturday April 6) that his son committed suicide after a life long battle with mental illness. Warren, a famous Orange County, California evangelical pastor, relayed the news to his congregation at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Rick Warren wrote the highly successful spiritual based help guide titled, "The Purpose-Driven Life."

In a statement from Rick and his wife Kay, they said, "No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now." Rick and Kay's youngest son Matthew struggled with mental illness from the time he was born. "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," the statement revealed.

READ: Rick Warren Son Matthew Warren Precious Family Photo, Twitter and Facebook Prayers Shared Around the World 

After an evening together Matthew, "in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his own life." Matthew Warren was described in the statement as 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 beeline to that person to engage and encourage them."

This news obviously comes as a shock to many, making it a very sad day. Matthew's suicide brings forth questions surrounding mental illness, which has been brought up in debate recently surrounding gun control. Many people argue mental illness goes relatively untreated and needs to be given more attention and care. Unfortunately for the Warren family, their son Matthew, became the latest victim of mental illness. Despite battling mental illness his entire life, Matthew Warren is dead at the age of 27.