Perez Hilton’s family is sharing another update on the celebrity blogger’s condition one day after his “suicide attempt.”
“This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family,” the public statement shared to Hilton’s website reads. “While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful.”
“We have also been able to confirm that Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope,” Hilton’s loved ones added.
Elsewhere in their statement, Hilton’s family once again thanked “everyone who has reached out with prayers, kind messages, and support for Perez,” noting that their “compassionate humanity during this profoundly heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express.”
They asked for “continued prayers, understanding, and grace as Perez continues to recover” and said they will “share additional updates as [they] receive confirmed information and are able to do so.”
“For now, we’re taking things one step at a time and keeping our focus where it belongs, on Perez and his recovery,” they added. “Again, thank you, truly, for all your support and compassion. We are so grateful.”
This update comes about 24 hours after Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was rushed to the hospital after livestreaming an apparent self-harming video on TikTok Live.
Hilton — who is father to three children via surrogacy — was confirmed to be “receiving medical care” in a previous update from his family, who noted that their “focus right now is on his well-being.”
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office told Page Six Tuesday night that units were dispatched to Hilton’s Miami home after they’d received “multiple calls” of “an individual livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.”
Officers spoke with Hilton’s family members at the scene and decided to “tactfully disengage” while continuing to “monitor the situation” after confirming Hilton, 48, was alone inside.
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed to Page Six that the individual had “been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” noting that their “Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals” were “on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family.”
Hilton’s representatives at Golden Artists Entertainment, Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, told Page Six in a statement Tuesday night that they were “aware of the concerning content circulating online” involving their client.
“At this time, we have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him,” they said, adding that their “primary concern” at the time was Hilton’s “health and well-being, as well as the well-being of his family.”
They released an updated statement to Page Six on Wednesday that confirmed they “do not have any additional information to share.”
“We are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from fans, friends and members of the media,” Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan said. “We respectfully ask that everyone continue to honor his privacy while he receives the care he needs.”
In 911 dispatch audio, officers noted that multiple units had responded to the site of a “suicide attempt” and surveillance footage obtained by Page Six shows officers showing up at Hilton’s home multiple times Tuesday.
Hilton’s sister, Barbara “Barbie” Lavandeira, was photographed arriving to the gossip blogger’s Miami house Wednesday, keeping a low profile and attempting to gain access to the home, which he shared with his mother, Teresita Lavandeira.
Authorities also showed up to the property and taped it off, per our source, which is “standard procedure” to assist the family and deal with media presence. We’re told there is no active criminal investigation.
Hilton’s apparent mental health breakdown comes after a “traumatic” year that included a cross-country move, a health crisis that “almost killed him” and financial struggles after life-saving surgeries, sources told Page Six Wednesday.
In the wake of his hospitalization, Hilton’s podcast co-host, Chris Booker, said the show would be put on pause for now, describing it as “all TBD at the moment.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
