Saint Sasha Remembers RJ Mitte: ‘I Fell in Love for the First Time When I Was 18’
The world of entertainment and disability advocacy was shaken this week by the sudden loss of Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte, who died at the age of 34. Now, his former girlfriend, photographer Saint Sasha, has spoken out for the first time, offering a deeply personal and emotional tribute to the late actor. In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Tuesday, October 13, Sasha reflected on their relationship, the impact Mitte had on her life, and the profound grief she is experiencing in the wake of his death.
“I fell in love for the first time when I was 18. RJ was the first person to show me how a man is supposed to treat a woman,” Sasha wrote. “He was the first partner to build me up and make me feel unstoppable.” Alongside her words, she shared two throwback photographs of herself and Mitte from the time they were together, offering fans a rare glimpse into the private side of a man who was widely known for his on-screen work and off-screen activism. She continued, “He had one of the kindest and rarest hearts I’d ever had the privilege to experience and he was still a friend. I can’t believe this is real. Never in any lifetime could I forget him and how he made me feel. He was the first and last of his kind. Thank you for everything, endlessly, RJ. I love you, homie.”
Sasha’s tribute arrived just one day after the news of Mitte’s death was made public. On Monday, October 12, Mitte’s representative released a statement to Us Weekly that read: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte. Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.” Not long afterward, his spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that Mitte had died by suicide in Texas, a detail that has left fans, friends, and colleagues grappling with a mixture of sorrow and disbelief.
The Brownsville Police Department told People that authorities responded to an emergency call at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time. When officers arrived at Mitte’s residence, they found him dead. A police spokesperson said, “The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation.” Though an investigation remains active, those close to Mitte have begun to share their memories and condolences publicly, creating an outpouring of remembrance that reflects the deep impression he left on so many lives.
Born Roy Frank Mitte III, RJ Mitte first became a household name through his starring role as Walter White Jr. on the critically acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad. Cast at just 15 years old, Mitte played the teenage son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White and Anna Gunn’s Skyler White. His character was written with cerebral palsy, and because Mitte himself had been diagnosed with the condition at the age of three, he brought an authenticity and sensitivity to the role that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The series, which ran from 2008 to 2013, became one of the most celebrated television programs in history, and Mitte’s performance was widely praised for its nuance, humor, and emotional depth.
But for Mitte, the role was never just a job. It became a platform for something far larger. He used his visibility to advocate for disability awareness, inclusion, and authentic representation in Hollywood. In interviews, he often spoke candidly about what it meant to live with cerebral palsy and how the experience shaped his worldview. In a 2014 interview, he said, “My disability has given me so many things that people will never understand unless you have it. Unless you’ve been through the physical therapy, unless you’ve been through the sweat, the tears, the family problems, the family struggles, but wondering how you’re going to get that HMO, wondering how you’re going to get those medical bills. You develop a different mentality and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world.”
Those words, now hauntingly powerful, reflect a man who understood struggle intimately and transformed it into strength. Mitte was not content to be defined by his disability or his diagnosis. Instead, he redefined what was possible, appearing in numerous other projects, including Paradise Lost, Vanished, and Who Shot Mamba?, as well as guest-starring in popular shows like Vegas and House of Lies. He was discreet about his private life but always generous with his time and energy when it came to advocacy work. Whether he was speaking at conferences, working with nonprofit organizations, or simply using his social media presence to amplify marginalized voices, Mitte was a consistent and relentless champion for causes that mattered deeply to him.
His personal life was similarly defined by deep and meaningful connections. At the time of his death, Mitte was engaged to Kennedy Suarez. The couple had been together for four years before getting engaged in the previous year. In October 2025, Mitte spoke warmly about Suarez in an interview with People, sharing, “I’m thrilled to have found my person, my partner in life who makes me want to be better, no matter what we’re doing. Kennedy is my everything and I can’t wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next.” The couple’s future together has now been tragically cut short, and Suarez has presumably been left to navigate the unfathomable pain of losing the man she planned to marry.
Before Suarez, there was Saint Sasha. Her tribute paints a picture of a young woman who loved deeply and was forever changed by Mitte’s presence in her life. By referring to him as “the first and last of his kind,” she placed him in a category of his own, one that she clearly believes will never be filled. Her words about his “kind and rare heart” echo the sentiments expressed by others who knew him. In the days since his death, other Breaking Bad alumni have also come forward to honor him. Bryan Cranston, who played his father on the show, and Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, were among those reported to have paid tribute to Mitte, underscoring the bonds of friendship that formed on set and lasted well beyond the show’s finale.
The loss of RJ Mitte is not just a loss for the entertainment industry. It is a loss for the disability community, which saw in him a proud, visible, and unapologetic representative. It is a loss for anyone who ever felt different, excluded, or misunderstood. Mitte’s life was a testament to the idea that obstacles are not ceilings and that one’s circumstances do not have to dictate one’s destiny. He took a role that could have been merely symbolic and gave it breath and heart. Then he used that role to open doors for others, fighting for a world where people with disabilities could see themselves not as limitations, but as fully realized human beings with stories worth telling.
His public advocacy extended beyond casting and representation. Mitte spoke about healthcare struggles, the cost of physical therapy, and the emotional toll that living with a disability can take on families. He spoke of those who had to worry about HMOs and medical bills, not because he was simply aware of these issues, but because he lived them. This perspective gave his advocacy an urgency and authenticity that could not be manufactured. It was real, raw, and deeply rooted in experience.
In the wake of his death, authorities in Texas are continuing their investigation. While the cause and manner of death are still officially pending, the confirmation that Mitte died by suicide has highlighted the often invisible battles that people, even those who appear strong and successful, can face. The circumstances of his passing are a reminder that mental health struggles do not discriminate. They can touch anyone, regardless of accomplishments, privilege, or public perception. The stigma surrounding suicide remains a substantial barrier to seeking help, and the death of such a beloved figure may prompt difficult but necessary conversations about mental health, vulnerability, and the importance of showing up for one another.
Fans around the world have expressed their shock and sadness on social media, sharing clips from Breaking Bad, photos of Mitte on red carpets, and quotes from his interviews. Many have noted that his character, Walter White Jr., was often the moral heart of the series—a young man navigating the chaos and danger around him with courage and grace. It is an ironic and painful parallel that Mitte himself would face equally difficult battles in his own life, away from the cameras and the applause.
Saint Sasha’s tribute is one of many that will likely emerge in the coming days and weeks. But her words carry a particular intimacy, born of a shared history and a love that clearly never faded into indifference. To hear her call him her “homie” is to glimpse the playful, affectionate bond the two once shared. To hear her say that he was the first person to show her how a man should treat a woman is to understand that Mitte left an imprint that went beyond romance. He shaped the way another person viewed love, trust, and kindness.
His fiancée, Kennedy Suarez, has not yet released a public statement as of this writing. The heartbreak she must be enduring is almost beyond comprehension. The couple had planned a life together, and now she is left to face one without him. Those close to her have no doubt rallied around her in this difficult time, but grief is a private and unpredictable journey. The public will wait, with compassion, for her to speak if and when she is ready.
RJ Mitte’s death at 34 removes a singular voice from the spotlight. He was more than the roles he played. He was a son, a brother, a friend, a partner, and an advocate. He was someone who turned his pain into purpose, who used his platform to lift others, and who showed the world that disability does not diminish a person’s worth, power, or potential. He touched countless lives, and his legacy will continue to inspire long after the headlines fade.
In her final words to him, Sasha said, “Thank you for everything, endlessly, RJ. I love you, homie.” It is a goodbye, but also an affirmation. A reminder that he was loved, that his presence mattered, and that the world is poorer for his absence. As the investigation continues, as the tributes pour in, and as the industry mourns, there is comfort in knowing that RJ Mitte left behind a body of work and a legacy of advocacy that will endure. His life may have been too short, but its significance will stretch far beyond his years.
Rest in peace, RJ. You will be missed.
