Arts and Cultural center holds vigil for RJ Mitte

Julian J. Salazar | PULSE MAGAZINE

Editor’s note: This story includes mention of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

Friends, family and locals gathered Friday morning to celebrate the life of actor and philanthropist RJ Mitte and his contributions to the city of Brownsville.

According to Sean Riley, his representative, Mitte died by suicide Monday, Oct. 12, at the age of 34 in his Brownsville home. The Celebration of Life was held at the Mitte Arts and Cultural Center, with friends and family speaking about him and his legacy.

Mitte, widely known for his role as Walter White Jr. in “Breaking Bad,” moved to Brownsville in 2019, where he served as president for the Mitte Foundation, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve quality of life in Texas cities.

Throughout his time in Brownsville, he was involved in the development and promotion of the Mitte Cultural District, which included the cultural center, the Children’s Museum and the Brownsville Historical Association alongside many other projects.

The family and friends of RJ Mitte and locals gather at the vigil held for him at The Mitte Arts and Cultural Center earlier today in Brownsville. Mitte served as the president of The Mitte Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by his grandparents to improve quality of life in Texas cities.
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

Anita Dianne Carriere, Mitte’s grandmother, said RJ radiated God’s love and kindness wherever he went.

“I’m delighted that God chose him to accomplish the things that he did,” Carriere said. “He’s always been a happy, joyful kid, never let anything hold him back.”

She shared stories of his childhood and the struggles he had to go through as a child with cerebral palsy.

Carrier said Mitte was diagnosed with the illness when he was 3 years old and would have to change the cast on his legs every Monday morning. She added he was subject to bullying throughout his youth.

“People can be so kind, but they can also be so cruel,” she said. “But it never took him down, he was always a delight.”

A photo of RJ Mitte at the vigil held in memory of him at The Mitte Arts and Culture Center earlier today in Brownsville. This photo is from the last photoshoot he had, according to Mitte’s former publicist, Nedda Soltani.
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

Mitte’s former publicist, Nedda Soltani, said he believed in everyone and that everybody was equal.

“The little man on the red carpet at the end who only had five followers on Instagram got the same interview as the Associated Press,” Soltani said. “He changed my perception of the world and how we treat each other.”

Roy De Los Santos, interim executive director of The Mitte Foundation, speaks at the “Celebration of Life” held in memory of RJ Mitte at The Mitte Arts and Culture Center earlier today in Brownsville. De Los Santos shared his personal experiences and memories he had with RJ Mitte.
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

Later on during the event, Roy De Los Santos, interim executive director for the Mitte Foundation, made a promise to continue RJ Mitte’s legacy and philanthropy for the community.

“This is not the end of the story, this is just the end of the chapter,” De Los Santos said. “[It is] the start of a new one with RJ looking down on us from above.”