ABC News
Robert F. Kennedy’s estranged wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, has died at age 52, apparently committing suicide by hanging herself, multiple sources told ABC News.
“We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her,” Mary Kennedy’s family said in a statement released through her lawyer. “Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation. We have no further comment at this time.”
Bedford, N.Y., police responded to the Kennedy home in Mount Kisco, N.Y., at 1:36 p.m. today to investigate a “possible unattended death,” according a news release. While police would not identify the person who died, the house is listed under the names of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mary Kennedy on property reports.
“Responding officers confirm that a deceased individual has been located inside an out building on that property,” the statement said. “At this time, the Bedford Police Department is not releasing the identity of that individual until notification to family members has been made.”
The incident is under investigation by the Bedford Police Department with assistance from the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mary Kennedy appeared to have hung herself, a family member told ABC News.
Mary Kennedy was Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s second wife and the couple had four children together. The couple was married for 16 years before a divorce filing in 2010.
Kennedy Jr. is the son of former Sen. Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
In 2010, Kennedy Jr. filed for divorce, according to the Journal News in White Plains, N.Y., a day after Bedford police responded to the Kennedy home for a “domestic incident” during which Mary Kennedy allegedly was intoxicated.
Three days later, Mary Kennedy was stopped outside of a school after she steered her Volvo station wagon over a curb, according to the Journal News. She was charged with driving while intoxicated after her blood alcohol level was reported to be 0.11 percent, above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
She pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, the paper reported, and her license was suspended.
The next month, August 2010, she was arrested again for driving under the influence of drugs, according to the Associated Press.