Alec Baldwin Contemplated Suicide After Rust Shooting, Says Hilaria

Content warning: This story discusses suicide.

Hilaria Baldwin is looking back at a dark chapter in Alec Baldwin‘s life.

Based on a statement made, it appears that the TLC star mentioned her husband seriously considered suicide following the 2021 incident where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot with a live round from a prop gun in Alec’s hand while working on the New Mexico set of the Western movie titled Rust.

On the March 2nd episode of The Baldwins, Hilaria shared with a friend, “I stumbled upon these text messages of ours, and in them, he expressed feeling like he wanted to end his life.

Inside the confession booth, the 41-year-old shared that Alec had been grappling with feelings of survivor’s guilt upon sending those distressing messages.

“He wishes it were him,” she continued. “He would change places in a second.”

Reflecting on how the 66-year-old frequently revisits that particular day in his thoughts, Hilaria noted that this tragic event has had a profound impact on both his physical and mental wellbeing.

Unexpectedly, Alec began experiencing heart issues, his wife shared. He has been admitted to the hospital on several occasions.

Indeed, Hilaria stated that the former 30 Rock cast member has been officially diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), following Halyna’s passing.

On a recent episode of the reality show, she stated that everyone who is close to Alec has noticed his mental health deteriorating. In his most difficult times, he expresses, “If an unfortunate incident had to occur today, why am I the one left standing? Why wasn’t it me instead?

Furthermore, Alec is aware of how the hardship has impacted his family, specifically his seven children with Hilaria, and his daughter Ireland Baldwin from his previous relationship with Kim Basinger.

He confided in Hilaria, saying, “My heart aches more for your suffering than my own, on The Baldwins. I see the toll this has taken on you, and the depth of your pain.

In the summer of 2024, I’m delighted to share that the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec was dropped. The reason? A judge determined that crucial evidence, namely bullets potentially linked to the Rust incident, had been concealed by authorities, misplaced within a different case file.

Since then, Alec filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations.

For more details on the Rust shooting trial, keep reading.

A video showing Alec Baldwin practicing the scene where he brandished a firearm within an old church on the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set was exhibited to the court during the start of the trial on July 10.

He’s overhearing someone say, “Retrieve it quickly,” as he repeatedly draws his weapon hidden under his coat, three times.

In a clear and straightforward manner, defense attorney Alex Spiro stressed during his initial statement that his client is an actor. He further explained that if it is proven that the client pulled the trigger of the gun (a claim Baldwin has consistently denied), he should not be held accountable for Halyna Hutchins’ demise, as her death was not intentional on his part.

Spiro stated that he had no information or cause to believe that the bullet in that gun was real.

46 PM on October 21, 2021, on the film set.

The caller expressed their frustration by saying, “That annoying ad during lunch who asked about revisions, this person is causing the issue.

In March 2023, the first assistant director named David Halls received a sentence of six months’ unsupervised probation, following his admission that he had acted negligently in handling a dangerous weapon, which was a misdemeanor charge.

As a diligent follower, I’ve come to understand that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and I, being the production armorer and Halls respectively, were the last individuals who had possession of the firearm that ultimately fired the deadly shot prior to its handover to Baldwin.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share this news: In March, Gutierrez was declared guilty of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to a maximum term of 18 months behind bars. Interestingly, the same sentence Baldwin could potentially face if found guilty.

During Spiro’s initial presentation, the state voiced multiple concerns, among them being their disagreement when he suggested that it is inherent to human nature, as well as a response to grief, for individuals to strive for understanding and fairness following a calamity.

In Spiro’s words, “Justice equals truth” was the closing remark. It’s an inexpressibly sad situation that “Alec Baldwin” did not commit any criminal offense.

On the 10th of July, I, an ardent enthusiast, had the privilege to recount my eyewitness account as the very first witness called by the prosecution. The individual in question was none other than Officer Nicholas LeFleur, a dedicated servant of Santa Fe’s finest who happened to be working for the sheriff’s office at that particular moment. Remarkably, he was the first responder at Bonanza Creek Ranch, having arrived there shortly after the tragic shooting incident involving Hutchins.

Despite strong protests from the defense during pre-trial hearings, footage captured by Officer LeFleur’s body camera was shown to the jury, which included tense moments of Hutchins receiving medical attention following the shooting incident. Initially, the crew was inside the church before Hutchins was transferred into an ambulance for additional treatment. As Officer LeFleur testified, they were waiting for a helicopter to arrive and transport her to the hospital.

According to LeFleur, as shown on the body-cam recording, he went to retrieve crime scene tape from his car to establish a boundary around the area. However, he can’t recall whether he was instructed to do so or if it was an automatic response.

“I knew we needed to start one,” he said.

According to LeFleur, Baldwin, who was caught on camera puffing on a cigarette, wasn’t isolated from other witnesses prior to giving his statement to the authorities, but he was advised to stop chatting.

Under questioning, LeFleur stated that at the time he hung the tape, he wasn’t sure if a crime was taking place or if it was merely an accident.

During cross-examination, Officer LeFleur admitted that while he testified for the prosecution that he told Baldwin not to talk to other witnesses, he didn’t subsequently remind or instruct the actor to stop conversing with others. Additionally, the officer confirmed that it was generally people who were approaching Baldwin to chat.

Furthermore, as argued by Spiro, multiple police vehicles were eventually present on the scene, and Baldwin could have been instructed to sit in any one of them, keeping apart from others. However, none of the officers enforced this separation. This view was shared by LeFleur.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I’d rephrase it this way: During a recent court hearing on the 11th of July, Marissa Poppell, a crime scene technician from the Santa Fe Sherriff’s Office, testified that when investigators searched the set of Rust following the shooting incident, they discovered both live and “so-called dead” bullets.

During Spiro’s questioning, it was revealed that there were real bullets in the prop cart, a munitions box, and gun holsters belonging to two actors. She acknowledged this fact. In court, an image showed that the live ammunition had a silver dot at its base, while the dummy rounds appeared more golden or bronze in color.

Spiro wonders if it’s possible that the Starline nickel live rounds and the Starline nickel dummy rounds were mixed up in that location, based on their resemblance?

She said yes. Added Spiro? “In other words, somebody could have mistaken one for the other, right?”

Poppell replied, “Yes.”

Based on her July 10th statement, it was Poppell who retrieved Baldwin’s shoulder holster from the church following the shooting, which contained a single live bullet.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: During the lunch break of a jury trial, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer granted permission for prosecutors to present a segment of a phone call between Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria Baldwin. This conversation took place at a police station following the shooting incident, where Alec invited her to visit him in New Mexico, expressing their time together would be enjoyable.

In court, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey stated that at the time Baldwin placed the call, he wasn’t aware that Hutchins had passed away, but he did know that she had sustained severe injuries.

If the defense hadn’t emphasized so much about his state of panic and distress, according to Morrissey, it might not have been important to mention, but apparently, he was making plans for a getaway instead.

The judge informed Baldwin’s legal team, who raised objections on multiple instances, “Indeed, I believe it’s pertinent to address the discussion regarding Baldwin’s distress, as it appears to have significant implications in this case.

Under Spiro’s questioning, Poppell stated that she didn’t hide evidence by not including a box of bullets given after Gutierrez’s trial in the overall Rust-related evidence and also by not sharing it with the defense. She insisted that she never gave any evidence to the defense.

Morrissey pointed out that the individual who provided Poppell with weapons was a friend of Gutierrez’s father, a well-known Hollywood armorer named Thell Reed. During the trial, it seemed as though the man aimed to incriminate Seth Kenney, the supplier of the firearms on set, for bringing live ammunition to the location.

During the change of direction in the case, Poppell stated that there was no proof supporting Kenney’s claim of bringing live ammunition for setting, however, she did possess evidence indicating that Gutierrez had done so.

Jason Bowles, legal representative of Gutierrez, expressed astonishment to NBC News over the fact that the specific bullets in question hadn’t been examined to determine whether they matched the type of other bullets discovered on the Rust film set.

As a relentless enthusiast, I’ve got to spill the beans: They were keeping the secret about that ball hidden like nobody’s business, but it wasn’t until they were busted in court that it came out. If you’re determined to uncover the whole truth, you’ve got to chase every single lead.

On the morning of July 12, Judge Sommer dismissed the jury early due to the defense’s allegation that the state had concealed some evidence.

Testimony was given by Poppell stating that he received a box of ammunition from Troy Teske, who used to be known as a helpful person due to his relationship with Gutierrez’s father, but later identified in court, after Gutierrez was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March for her involvement in Hutchins’ death.

Previously, Spiro had inquired from Poppell regarding her decision not to place the Rust case evidence box among the rest.

This morning, prior to the jury’s arrival, Poppell once more asserted that he had not deliberately concealed any information. He explained to Spiro that he was directed to catalog the box under a different case number, which is why he complied with the instruction.

According to the defense’s claim, it was hidden from Alec Baldwin that there existed proof indicating that the live bullet found on set originated from Seth Kenney.

Following a midday pause, the prosecution summoned Kenney, the proprietor of PDQ Props, who was enlisted to supply the Rust film set with prop guns and blank ammunition, to offer testimony in a court session exclusive to the judge, as part of the defense’s hearing on their motion.

Kenney stated clearly that since he had provided over a thousand dummy rounds, there was absolutely no doubt in his mind about his ability to provide the live rounds needed for the filming scene.

Morrissey called the defense’s attempt to blame Kenney “a wild goose chase.”

Morrissey consented to testify about her involvement, or rather her non-involvement as she claimed, regarding why the box of ammunition sent by Teske was left out from the evidence presented in the Rust case.

She stated that attorney Jason Bowles of Gutierrez was informed that Teske intended to provide him with the specific ammunition, and when she was shown a photo of those rounds, they appeared “dissimilar” to the live rounds discovered on the Rust set.

Morrissey shared that Bowles communicated to Teske he wouldn’t be needed as a witness. Additionally, she mentioned that once Teske delivered the rounds to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Detective (now Corporal) Alexandra Hancock informed her they would be logged as evidence.

Morrissey testified she had “no idea” it wouldn’t be filed under the Rust case number.

Teske’s submissions, as Morrissey stated, “would not have harmed the state’s argument,” and they “would have been the ideal proof I could ever wish for.

In simpler terms, Judge Sommer ruled that the accusation against Baldwin can no longer be brought back for another trial.

In response to the defense’s argument that critical evidence was not shared by the state, the judge determined that the appropriate action was to dismiss the case.

As it became evident how Sommer was going to make her ruling, both Baldwin and Hilaria found themselves shedding tears. They were present at the trial each day, accompanied by Stephen Baldwin, Baldwin’s brother-in-law.

2025-03-05 04:17

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