RJ Mitte's younger sister, Lacianne Carriere, delivered a tearful tribute at his celebration of life in Brownsville, Texas, on Friday, saying she lost both a brother and a father. "RJ Mitte was my older brother, but I not only just lost a brother, I lost my father," she said, in tears.
The ceremony took place at the Mitte Cultural District, the family's organisation, four days after the Breaking Bad star died at 34. The city live-streamed the event.
She recalled that when she was two weeks old, their single mother was in an accident that left her paralysed from the waist down for several years, and "my brother immediately took on the other role." Mitte had previously spoken about caring for his baby sister in a 2016 Guardian interview.
"I don't have many words that I can put together, but all I can say is that every part of me is RJ," she said. She listed the music she listens to, the media she consumes, and their shared mannerisms, adding: "I just really miss my brother."
She spoke about his deep affection for Brownsville. Although he was born in Jackson, Mississippi, his grandfather, Roy F.
Mitte, was a native of the city. "This was his home.
This was his community," she said. She concluded with a lighthearted remark, telling him, "I'm not going to sell that nasty truck." Other speakers included his grandmother, Anita Dianne Carriere, and his mother, Dyna Mitte.
According to TMZ, a private funeral is planned. Mitte's representative confirmed the cause of death was suicide, though his mother told NBC News that friends and family had no indication he might take his own life.
The community of Brownsville has been in mourning since the news broke. Fans gathered outside the venue to pay their respects, holding candles and photos of the late actor.
Mitte was widely respected for his advocacy work regarding disability awareness, a cause he championed throughout his career in Hollywood. His colleagues from the entertainment industry have also expressed their profound grief, noting his kindness and professional dedication on set.
As the family prepares for the private funeral, they have requested privacy during this difficult time of transition and healing.