June 6, 2018 fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan, New York. Law enforcement officials told CBS News that Spade's housekeeping staff found her lifeless body inside of her apartment around 10:20 a.m. that Tuesday.
According to CBS News, Spade's death was a suicide. Law enforcement officials stated that she apparently hung herself with a scarf attached to a door knob and left a note at the scene. Police stated during a news conference that Spade's husband and business partner were in the apartment at the time.
According to NYTimes, Dermot F. Shea, the New York police chief of detectives, stated that her death "appears at this point in time to be a tragic case of apparent suicide.''
Katherine Noel Brosnahan, worldly known as Kate Spade, was an American fashion designer and business woman. She is known for her iconic and stylish handbags. Spade's fashion designing career took off in the '90s when she and her husband, Andy, launched their New York-based design company "Kate Spade Handbags." The Kate Spade label became more and more popular and from then on her accessories, clothing, footwear, and more have been a part of A-list fashion brands.
Spade built a fashion empire worth 2.4 billion dollars making her worth 46.5 million. Although she was wealthy, it's apparent she was not happy. Yaron Steinbuch from Page Six explains that her husband wanted a divorce and moved out of their apartment days before she hung herself.
According to Steinbuch, Spade's suicide note was addressed to her 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. Sources told The Post that part of the suicide note reads, "This has nothing to do with you...Don't feel guilty. Ask your dad." Steinbuch further explains that Reta Saffo, Spade's sister, stated that Spade has, "...suffered from years of depression and had refused to get treatment."
Saffo wrote to the Kansas City Star Newspaper stating, "I will say this was not unexpected by me."
Spade's death shows that an abundance of wealth will not necessarily create happiness. It's sad and unfortunate that death has to occur in order for people to be aware of this truth. Some people think that just because someone is wealthy and famous means that they could never be depressed or mentally ill. However, that is not the case. Never assume someone is okay mentally based on their financial status.
According to Newsday, many public figures such as Olivia Munn, Bette Midler, Josh Groban and more took to Twitter after finding out about her death.
My very first designer purse was a black, shoulder strap, Kate Spade. I treasured it and was obsessed with keeping the little white Kate Spade label clean. It's funny how a purse can instantly make you feel like an adult. Rest in love. --@oliviamunn
#KateSpade, whose lively, colorful, and yes, joyous designs has died. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends, and her many fans around the world, who loved the wonderful illusions she created. I am stunned. — @Bette Midler
Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. — @joshgroban
