Miami-Dade authorities said deputies used crisis-intervention techniques after viewers reported apparent self-harm during a live social media broadcast.
MIAMI — Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was hospitalized Tuesday after authorities responded to numerous calls from people who saw him apparently harming himself during a livestream from his Florida home, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies found Hilton alone inside the residence after arriving in response to the reports, according to a statement provided by the sheriff’s office. Authorities approached the incident as a mental health crisis and focused on communicating with him while limiting the risk of further harm. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue later transported Hilton to a local hospital for medical attention.
The sheriff’s Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals also responded, authorities said. They provided assistance and resources to members of Hilton’s family while deputies worked to resolve the situation safely. Officials did not publicly disclose the nature or severity of his injuries, the hospital where he was taken or details about his condition.
The livestream appeared on TikTok and prompted viewers to contact emergency services after witnessing troubling behavior. News organizations described parts of the broadcast as graphic, but specific details are being withheld because they are not necessary to explain the police response or Hilton’s hospitalization.
A sheriff’s office spokesperson said deputies responding to people in mental health crises generally seek to create time and distance while opening opportunities for communication. Authorities said slowing such situations can reduce the likelihood of injury to the person, responding deputies and members of the public.
Hilton, 48, was born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. and became widely known during the 2000s through his celebrity news and gossip website. He later expanded his work into television appearances, books, podcasts and social media. He is the father of three children.
The hospitalization followed other serious health problems Hilton publicly discussed earlier this year. In March, he said he had spent 21 days in a hospital while being treated for sepsis and complications from an ulcer. He was later treated for a blood clot in his leg and documented parts of his recovery online.
A representative for Hilton did not immediately provide public details about the Tuesday incident. Authorities also had not said how long he was expected to remain hospitalized or whether he had been released. The sheriff’s office described its involvement as a crisis response rather than a criminal investigation.
Hilton’s latest medical condition remained undisclosed late Tuesday. Officials said he had been safely transported for care, while crisis professionals continued offering support to his family.