Max Azzarello Was 'Depressed' Before Self-Immolation, Consumed Adderall: Report

Maxwell Azzarello, man who lit himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump's hush money trial proceedings were taking place, suffered from depression and was prescribed with anti-depressants, a close friend of the Long Island-native's late mother told the New York Post. The 37-year-old was described as a 'conspiracy theorist' by the New York Police Department on Friday. He came to New York from Florida, where he was staying.

On Friday, Azzarello yelled slogans in front of the Manhattan courthouse before throwing some pamphlets into the air. The 37-year-old then poured some gasoline over himself and lit a fire. He died hours later.

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Minutes after the self-immolation incident, it was revealed that Maxwell Azzarello had written about his plans and frustrations in a manifesto -like document. He alleged that there was a coup between the Democrats and Republicans, naming both President Biden and Trump in the article.

Azzarello grew up on Long Island, in Sea Cliff, and moved to Florida with his parents. His mother died in 2022.

A friend of his mother told the New York Post: "He was the grandest man I ever met in my life and I adored him. He was brilliant and one of my closest friends. I am devastated."

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The NY Post further cited sources to report that Azzarello said he was prescribed anti-depressants, along with Adderall, in his earlier years.

Azzarello was “almost too smart,”Jamie Black told the media outlet. “I even said once to him, are you schizophrenic but he wasn’t. He was so caring and kind and hilarious and he was brought up in a great family. I don’t think he had any mental illness. I think he was just too smart."