(Image source: Journal News )


BY HANK KOEBLER


Mary Richardson Kennedy died Wednesday at the age of 52. ABC News has the details.

“We’re going to get right to that tragedy that has struck the Kennedy family. The estranged wife of Robert Kennedy, Jr., Mary Richardson, was found hanging in her garage yesterday. It looks like she killed herself.”

An autopsy performed Thursday morning revealed that Mary Kennedy died of asphyxiation due to hanging.

Mary, an architect known for designing eco-friendly houses, and Robert, an environmental lawyer, were married for 16 years before they separated in 2010. They had four children during their marriage. Here’s NBC .

“The Kennedys separated two years ago as Mary Kennedy battled with drug and alcohol problems. In May 2010 she was arrested for DWI, and pled guilty to a lesser charge.”

Mary Kennedy was sentenced to 90 days of psychiatric care after her DUI plea. Kennedy family biographer Laurence Leamer tells CNN — alcohol and substance abuse in the Kennedy family may have contributed to Mary Kennedy’s death.

“That is a real problem in the family, it really is. I remember Bobby Kennedy Jr. telling me that he thinks it’s in the genes, it’s something you kind of have. Again, she’s not a blood Kennedy, but almost by osmosis, she’s around, it’s just there.”

Although he was separated from Mary, Robert Kennedy Jr. released a statement to the public about her death, saying — she inspired the family with her “kindness, her love, her gentle soul and generous spirit.”