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US actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life at his California home, police have confirmed, the BBC reported.

Marin County Sheriff's Lt Keith Boyd said Williams, 63, had been treated for depression and killed himself by hanging.

The entertainer was last seen alive by his wife on Sunday evening, and was found dead at about noon on Monday, Lt Boyd said.

Tributes have poured forth from President Barack Obama and others.

Lt Boyd said Williams's wife saw him before she went to bed the evening before and left the house at 10:30 the next morning, believing him still to be asleep in another room.

Just before noon California time (19:00 GMT), the actor's personal assistant became concerned when he did not respond to knocks on the door, he said. The assistant entered the room and found Williams dead and cool to the touch.

After a post-mortem examination on Tuesday morning, investigators determined the preliminary cause of death to be asphyxia by hanging, but officials were waiting on the results of toxicology testing before making a final ruling.