The estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was found dead Wednesday at a Kennedy family home in Westchester County, according to police and family.
A family attorney confirmed that Mary Richardson Kennedy, 52, was found at her home in Bedford, N.Y. Police said they were called to the property at 326 South Bedford Road at 1:36 p.m. to investigate a "possible unattended death."
In a statement issued by Robert Kennedy Jr.'s chief of staff, the family said Mary Kennedy, an architect, "inspired our family with her kindness, her love, her gentle soul and generous spirit."
"Mary was a genius at friendship, a tremendously gifted architect and a pioneer and relentless advocate of green design who enhanced her cutting edge, energy efficient creations with exquisite taste and style," the family said.
Kennedy's body was found inside "an out building on the property," Bedford police said.
Sources said she had committed suicide. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.
Robert Kennedy Jr. is a prominent environmental lawyer. He's the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, both assassinated in the 1960s. Mary Kennedy was his second wife. They had four children.
Mary Kennedy was an architect and designer and had overseen the renovation of the couple's home into an environmentally advanced showpiece.Her family cited her devotion to her children in remembering her.
"We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her," the family said in a statement issued by attorney Kerry Lawrence, who had represented her in a drunken-driving case. "Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation."
Local
The former Mary Richardson had known the Kennedys for years, through her friendship with Robert Kennedy Jr.'s sister, Kerry Kennedy, whom she met at boarding school. She had been Kerry Kennedy's maid of honor at her wedding in 1990.
Mary Kennedy had had trouble with drugs and alcohol and had two high-profile arrests around the time her husband filed for divorce in July 2010.
She was charged that August with driving under the influence of drugs, not long after she pleaded guilty to drunken driving when police reported her seeing her car hit a curb outside a school near her home.
Police said she had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11 percent; the legal limit is 0.08 percent. Her license was suspended.
There were indications her troubles started earlier. In 2007, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drove his wife to a hospital for treatment, but she resisted and ran from the car, according to the Journal News, which cited Mount Kisco police records.
The unexpected death of another person connected to the storied Kennedy clan brought to mind the other sorrows the famous family has suffered.
Shopping in Bedford, Diane Glokler said, "I've always just thought that family is very tragic. They keep having tragic things happening to them. It's heart-wrenching.''
Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.
