Ashley Judd Confirms Naomi Judd Died by Suicide:  ‘The Lie the Disease Told Her Was So Convincing’

Ashley Judd sat down with Diane Sawyer to talk about her mother, Naomi Judd’s death.

She confirmed that her mother committed suicide by firearm.  And, she said she is uncomfortable sharing this information.

However, Ashley said she is sharing her mother’s story because, she says,”we don’t want to be part of the gossip economy.”

Ashley, Naomi’s younger daughter, is the one who discovered her mother’s body.  She is still recovering from an accident which crushed, and nearly caused her to lose her leg, over a year ago.  Wynonna Judd is Naomi’s older daughter, who was not present for the interview.

She said her mother had a ‘wall’ between the feelings fans had for Naomi, and the way she felt about herself.  Naomi could only feel the self doubt.

Naomi had been through some horrible attacks, in her youth, which may have triggered some of the trouble.

Ashley said she sat down with Good Morning America to put a spotlight on mental illness.  “When we talk about mental illness it’s very important to be clear and to make the distinction between our loved one and the disease.  It’s very real and it lies; it’s savage.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK

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