The girlfriend of late Razorback drummer Brian Velasco has revealed in a statement that he had been suffering from bipolar disorder before dying in an apparent suicide earlier this month.
His girlfriend, Portia Carlos shared this in a statement published today by ABS-CBN’s showbiz website Push.
“Brian had bipolar disorder. A mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include mania or hypomania (emotional highs) or depression (lows). These episodes would happen fast and last for a short time, hours or a few days at the most, unlike depression that could linger for months or years,” Carlos said.
She also said that a psychiatrist confirmed the drummer had a manic-depressive episode on Jan. 16, the day he died. Velasco jumped off his apartment building’s rooftop and broadcast it on Facebook Live. The video has since been taken down and the Philippines’ Health Department has urged the public to stop sharing re-uploads.
Carlos said that Velasco began sharing thoughts about ending his own life early last year. He eventually agreed to see a doctor and was prescribed medicine that would allow him to “stay in the normal range (of emotions).”
Velasco was taking the meds at first and doing OK, but Carlos said that they found out during his wake that he had stopped taking them.
“[T]he helper who cleaned his condo unit once a week and bought his meds told us Brian had not asked her to buy his meds. After his death, they also saw some meds in the condo when his supply should have been used up by then,” Carlos said.
She clarified that Velasco had not appeared depressed on the days leading up to Jan. 16 and was even talking about organizing a drum recital for his students. They were also planning to move in together this May.
Carlos also denied rumors that Velasco had been taking illegal drugs and said that this was not the reason his family initially waived the autopsy.
“Brian did not do any drugs, not even weed. He just liked alcohol. Drugs was never a consideration in the ‘waiving’ of the autopsy. To us, we just lost someone we loved in the most tragic way.”
She said that the National Bureau of Investigation eventually conducted an autopsy and that the report is with Velasco’s family.
Carlos shared her statement in a Facebook post earlier today and said that she’s angry about the rumors being spread about Velasco.
“It’s been almost 2 weeks, and yet there is still something new every day. I shouldn’t even be explaining, but I just want there to be no room anymore for heartless people’s lies and speculations to be deemed as truths,” she wrote.
“To those who genuinely were affected by Brian’s death, you can help by not judging people with this illness. Please be kind to everyone you meet. Your small act of kindness might save a life,” Carlos said in her statement.
If you or anyone you know has mental issues or is struggling with personal problems, please call the 24/7 HOPELINE at (02) 804 4673, (0917) 558 4673, or 2919 to seek professional help.
