Billy Miller's Mother Reflects on His 'Valiant' Struggle Against 'Bipolar Depression' Before Actor's Death at 43

"He did everything he could to control the disease. He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life," Patricia Miller said of her son Billy Miller, who died on Sept. 15

Billy Miller’s family is speaking out after the soap opera actor's untimely death.

In a statement issued to Soap Opera Digest, Billy's mom Patricia Miller expressed her gratitude for the support she's received since her son's death and shared that Billy "surrendered his life" after "a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression."

"I want to personally thank the many fans & personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers & condolences sent to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ — Billy Miller," she said. "He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease."

"He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life," she continued. "The other causes of death being told are not true. I wish they were but they just aren’t."

"We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss," Patricia concluded. "I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support."

Related: Billy Miller, Soap Opera Star Known for 'The Young and the Restless' and 'General Hospital,' Dead at 43

Miller, who would have turned 44 shortly after his death, died on Friday, Sept. 15 in Texas. His manager told PEOPLE the General Hospital  and The Young and the Restless star was “struggling with manic depression when he died.”

The soap star’s career began on All My Children in 2007. His time as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless led to three Daytime Emmy Awards wins for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series in 2010 and 2013, as well as outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2014.

He stepped away from the role in 2014.

Related: 15 Celebrities You Forgot Were on 'General Hospital'

Next up for Miller was General Hospital, where he played Jason Morgan for two years while the character's previous portrayer Steve Burton was off-screen. He ended his GH run as Jason’s twin brother Drew Cain.

Miller received a flood of tributes from his former costars after news of his death went public.

One read, “My heart goes out to him, and everyone who loves him - he is loved by so many. ❤️ Warm, kind, incredibly talented .. a big hug to the daytime family. Rest in peace & happy heavenly birthday Billy,” as written by Risa Dorken, his former GH costar, on X (formerly known as Twitter.)

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Michael Fairman TV first broke the news of Miller's death.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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