Robin Williams' death didn't just affect his millions of fans, friends and family members. According to the New York Post, Koko the gorilla "cried" when she heard the news. A rep for the Gorilla Foundation told the Post that after hearing trainers talking about Williams' death, Koko signed the words for "cry" and "woman."
The primate understands the English language and uses sign language to communicate with humans, according to the foundation. Reportedly Koko was very "quiet" and "very thoughtful" after hearing the heartbreaking news.
Koko and Williams first met back in 2001 and filmed a public service announcement together for the Gorilla Foundation in 2004. The two immediately hit it off.
"I recently had a mind altering experience communicating with a gorilla," Williams said in the PSA. "Her name is Koko. We shared something extraordinary: laughter. Koko understands spoken English and uses over a 1,000 signs to share her feelings and thoughts about daily events like life, love, even death. It was awesome and unforgettable."
The actor died on Monday, Aug. 11 from suicide. Marin County Sheriff Lt. Keith Boyd held a press conference the following day and confirmed that Williams passed from suicide by hanging and told reporters that the actor was found with a belt around his neck and cuts on his left wrist.
His body was discovered in his California home by his assistant.
"Robin Williams passed away thing morning. He has been battling severe depression as of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectively asks for their privacy as they grieve this very difficult time," his rep said in a statement on Monday.
