Heartbreaking story of a brilliant 44-year-old lawyer who walked away from his career and family due to mental illness during COVID, now living as a panhandler on the streets of LA

The once-thriving lawyer plunged into psychosis which left him living on the streets of LA

The relatives of an outstanding attorney who abandoned his family and career due to a mental health crisis during Covid have expressed their devastation after he ended up homeless on the streets of LA.

Two years ago, Rob Dart, aged 44, was a successful lawyer and devoted father living in a $2 million home in South Pasadena.

Rob Dart, 44, was an award winning attorney and doting father until a mental health crisis during Covid sent him on a downward spiral

He had previously overcome a mental health crisis following the end of his marriage, during which he struggled with voices in his head.

At that time, Dart was able to seek support from his family and recover at home before embarking on a new career as a successful lawyer.

His mental health struggles started at age 35 during his separation from his now ex-wife but he was able to get a grip on them and start over

However, in 2022, his life began to unravel again with the onset of the pandemic, which led to him spending long hours working from home.

Dart stopped attending therapy and taking his medications, eventually losing contact with his family and his job.

His mother, Sherry Dart, recounted, "I got on a plane. I thought I was going to find a dead body."

When she finally found her son, he was almost unrecognizable and angry.

Dart has been able to argue his way out of being committed to mental institutions on several occasions due to his legal training and flashes of lucidity

Dart allowed his mother to briefly meet her grandson before taking him away and ignoring her calls for days.

A similar situation unfolded when Dart's sister, Jennifer, attempted to visit him after he had been evicted.

She found him at a Starbucks, looking disheveled and unrecognizable.

Dart was among the millions of Americans whose mental health deteriorated due to the pandemic's disruptions.

His family hoped that California's laws would provide the necessary support, but Dart's legal background often allowed him to avoid being committed to treatment.

Dart's sister Jennifer flew to California on her brother's 44th birthday to try and locate him and eventually found him looking disheveled in a Starbucks. Pictured: The siblings before Dart's breakdown

Despite a few instances where he was hospitalized, Dart's condition continued to worsen, leading to disturbing episodes and encounters with the law.

Dart mom Sherry (left) and sister Jennifer (right) have both tried to reach out to him numerous times

His family tried desperately to help him, but Dart's refusal of treatment and erratic behavior made it challenging.

Eventually, he ended up homeless in LA, reaching out on social media for a place to stay.

Dart maintains that quitting his medications improved his life, but for his family, it feels too late as they remember who he used to be.

Dart maintains that he is not sick and that taking his medication was making him feel worse