Fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead at the age of 55 at her Upper East Side apartment on Tuesday morning.
According to information issued by police officials, the iconic designer took her own life by hanging.
Additional details surrounding the suicide include that before doing the final act, Kate had left a note to her 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, explaining to her that she should not be feeling guilty in any way and that none of this was her fault.
Besides telling her only child that she always loved her, the short message’s ending also urged Frances to ask her father for a confirmation of her words.
Apparently, Kate’s husband, Andrew Spade, was at their Manhattan apartment when their housekeeper discovered the dead body.
Meanwhile, Frances was still at school. It remains uncertain how long had passed since the time of death before the fashion designer’s body was found, and an autopsy was done.
Very quickly, no one was identified by police as a possible suspect, and the situation was treated as a suicide; NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea explained this during a press conference.
On Thursday, the New York City Medical Examiner confirmed that the death was a suicide. The official cause of death was suicide by hanging.
Kate’s closest family issued a statement saying that they were devastated by the sudden tragedy and asked for fans and reporters to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
However, they are thankful that her tragic death has sparked a real conversation about mental illness in this country.
Kate and her husband Andy were married in 1994 and were both founders of the iconic brand, Kate Spade New York, which they launched a year before their marriage. The company is mainly famous for its lines of luxurious handbags.
Their pending divorce might have played a part in her decision.
