Saint Sasha Honors RJ Mitte: ‘First and Last of His Kind’ After Breaking Bad Star’s Death at 34
The entertainment world is in mourning following the sudden death of RJ Mitte, the actor best known for his role as Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad. He was 34. On Tuesday, October 13, his ex-girlfriend Saint Sasha broke her silence and paid an emotional tribute to the late actor, offering the public an intimate look at the man she fell in love with as a teenager and never stopped caring for.
Sasha, a photographer, took to Instagram to share two throwback photos from the time she and Mitte spent together during their relationship. In the accompanying caption, she opened up about the profound place he held in her heart.
“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,” she wrote. “He was the first partner to build me up and make me feel unstoppable.”
Her message continued with words of appreciation and disbelief, underscoring how deeply his death has affected those who knew him personally.
“He had one of the kindest and rarest hearts I’d ever had the privilege to experience and he was still a friend,” she wrote. “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 came just one day after news of Mitte’s death was made public. The two had remained close after their romantic relationship ended, and her words reflected a bond that clearly survived the passage of time. For many fans, the post was a reminder that Mitte was not just a TV star, but a person who left a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to cross his path.
Mitte’s representative confirmed the heartbreaking news on Monday, October 12. The initial statement painted a portrait of an actor whose life and work extended far beyond the screen.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his rep said in a statement to Us. “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion.”
A short time later, Mitte’s spokesperson confirmed to Us that the actor died by suicide in Texas. The confirmation added a layer of sorrow to an already devastating moment for his family, friends, colleagues and fans around the world.
Authorities were notified quickly after his death. The Brownsville Police Department told People that officers responded to an emergency call at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time. When they arrived at Mitte’s residence, they found him dead. A police spokesperson said at the time that the cause and manner of death were still pending, as there was an ongoing investigation.
While the investigation continues, tributes have poured in from all corners of Hollywood and the advocacy community. Several of Mitte’s former Breaking Bad co-stars, including Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, were among those who publicly mourned the loss of their friend. Their tributes, along with Sasha’s, painted a picture of a man who was deeply loved and deeply admired.
Mitte first became a household name through his role on Breaking Bad, the acclaimed AMC drama that aired from 2008 to 2013 and is widely considered one of the greatest television series of all time. As Walter White Jr., Mitte played the teenage son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White and Anna Gunn’s Skyler White. His character was a central part of the show’s emotional weight, and his performance was praised for its authenticity.
That authenticity was personal. Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3. Rather than let that define him negatively, he used his experience to inform his work and his advocacy. He often spoke about the realities of living with a disability and the systemic challenges that come with it. In a 2014 interview, he explained just how much his disability shaped his worldview.
“My disability has given me so many things that people will never understand unless you have it,” he said. “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 have been shared widely since his death, resonating with many who understood the truth behind them. Mitte was not just an actor who played a character with cerebral palsy; he was someone who lived that reality every day. He turned his platform into a tool for change, advocating for disability awareness, inclusion and representation in the entertainment industry.
His role on Breaking Bad opened doors, but Mitte did not stop there. He worked as a philanthropist and public speaker, using his voice to support people with disabilities and to call on Hollywood to do better. He pushed for more opportunities for actors with disabilities and challenged the industry to think more inclusively when telling stories. His advocacy work was a major part of his legacy, and his representative’s statement made a point to honor that aspect of his life.
Mitte was also deeply devoted to his family and loved ones. At the time of his death, he was engaged to Kennedy Suarez. The couple got engaged in 2025 after four years of dating. Mitte was openly overjoyed about their future together, and he spoke about Suarez with heartfelt sincerity.
In an interview with People in October 2025, Mitte shared his excitement about building a life with Suarez.
“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,” he said. “Kennedy is my everything and I can’t wait to officially start our life together and see what adventures life takes us on next.”
That quote has taken on new meaning in the wake of his passing. The future he looked forward to with such hope will not come to pass, leaving those closest to him to carry the weight of that loss.
Mitte is survived by Suarez, as well as his family and many friends. The outpouring of grief from fans has been immense. Many have revisited his interviews, his advocacy speeches and his scenes from Breaking Bad, remembering a performer whose talent was matched by his kindness.
Sasha’s tribute, in particular, stood out because of its tenderness. She described a young man who changed her life when she was only 18, who taught her what it meant to be treated with love and respect. She called him “the first and last of his kind” and thanked him for everything. The message was both personal and universal, a reminder of how much one person can mean to another.
The loss of RJ Mitte is not only a tragedy for those who knew him personally, but also for the larger community that looked up to him. He gave a voice to people who are often marginalized and unseen. He proved that disabilities do not have to be limitations. He used his own struggles to create understanding, and he did so with patience and grace.
As the Brownsville Police Department continues its investigation, there are more questions than answers. The official cause and manner of death are still pending. In the meantime, the people who loved Mitte are left to grieve a life that ended far too soon.
But even in grief, there is gratitude. His ex-girlfriend’s tribute echoes a sentiment shared by many: that to know RJ Mitte was to be touched by something rare. He may have left this world at just 34 years old, but the impact he made will not fade.
For everyone who ever watched him on television, saw him speak at an event, or simply came across a clip of him discussing disability representation, his legacy is clear. RJ Mitte was a groundbreaking actor, a committed advocate, a devoted fiancé and a loyal friend. He was the first and last of his kind, and he will be deeply missed.
