In April 2025, NBA star Duncan Robinson of the Detroit Pistons experienced a heartbreaking loss—his older brother, Eli Robinson, died by suicide after years of living with schizophrenia and addiction. Eli’s passing marked the end of a long and courageous battle, but it also sparked a new mission for the Robinson family: helping others who are struggling with mental illness and supporting the families who walk through it with them.
A Deep Bond Between Brothers
Duncan and Eli shared an unbreakable bond. Throughout Duncan’s NBA journey, Eli would call his younger brother multiple times around games to offer encouragement. Eli was full of energy, love, and a genuine passion for those around him. Duncan has said that Eli wasn’t depressed—he was “tortured” by a disease he couldn’t escape. He loved life and people, even when his mind turned against him.
Eli’s Battle with Mental Illness
Eli’s struggle began with addiction to marijuana and alcohol, which his mother believes helped trigger the onset of schizophrenia. In 2021, he was officially diagnosed with the condition. From then on, the family tried everything to help him find stability and peace.
Over the years, Eli went through:
- More than 24 medications
- 16 psychiatric hospitalizations
- 30 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatments
Despite these efforts, he continued to experience painful auditory hallucinations and mental suffering.
A Family Fighting for Care
Eli’s family—his mother Marta, a licensed therapist, and his sister Elisabeth, a nurse practitioner—used their professional knowledge and resources to seek the best mental health care possible. Even so, they faced overwhelming challenges within the mental health care system, highlighting how difficult it can be to navigate treatment and access effective support, even with financial means and expertise.
Six months after a previous attempt, Eli died by suicide after jumping from the Piscataqua River Bridge. His family was devastated—but determined to honor him in a meaningful way.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
To carry forward Eli’s legacy, the Robinson family created the Robinson Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving access to mental health care and providing support to families in similar situations. They have already raised over $120,000 for the Seacoast Mental Health Center, where Eli once received treatment.
The family is also working to prevent future tragedies by advocating for suicide-prevention tools on local bridges, such as:
- Emergency signage
- Physical barriers and fencing to deter jumping
Duncan Robinson Speaks Out
Known for being private, Duncan has started to publicly share Eli’s story in hopes of reducing stigma and raising awareness around mental illness, addiction, and suicide. He says his decision to speak out is inspired by Eli’s bravery and openness about his own struggles.
Every day, Duncan wears Eli’s sobriety necklace—an intimate symbol of his brother’s strength, recovery efforts, and the lasting impact he left on their family and community.
To read the full story, visit:
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nba/nba-duncan-robinson-eli-robinson-detroit-pistons-rcna234969