Culture

Kate Spade reportedly addressed a suicide note to her daughter

kate spade
A note found near Kate Spade's body was addressed to her daughter, TMZ reported. Frances Valentine
Read in app
  • Kate Spade was found dead in her New York apartment on Tuesday.
  • A note was found on a bed near Spade's body that was addressed to her 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, TMZ reported.
  • "Bea — I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!" the note said, according to TMZ. 

The fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead in her New York apartment on Tuesday in what authorities reportedly believe was a suicide.

A note was found on a bed near Spade's body that was addressed to her 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, TMZ reported.

Citing law-enforcement sources, TMZ reported that the note said: "Bea — I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!"

A housekeeper found Spade in her home at 850 Park Ave. at about 10:20 a.m., The Associated Press reported, citing law-enforcement officials.

Spade is believed to have hanged herself with a red scarf tied to her bedroom doorknob, according to The New York Times, which said she left behind a note. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:26 a.m., The Times said.

A New York Police Department source told the New York Post that Spade left behind a note.

"At this point, there was a note left," the department's chief of detectives, Dermot Shea, told the Post. "The contents of that note, as well as the physical state of the apartment and the comments of the witness, lend to the credibility that it is an apparent suicide."

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.

Remembering Kate Spade:

Read next

Hayley Peterson
Hayley Peterson
Hayley Peterson is an Executive Editor who oversees coverage of the economy, tech, media, advertising, defense, careers, and more.She was previously a chief correspondent at Business Insider and wrote breaking news, analysis, and in-depth investigations on large consumer companies, with an emphasis on retailers including Amazon, Walmart, major grocery chains, and department stores.Hayley won recognition from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing in 2018 for "defining the retail apocalypse" through her reporting on retail job losses, the decline of Sears, and the impact of store closings on bondholders.Prior to joining Business Insider in 2013, Hayley was a White House correspondent and embedded on the presidential 2012 campaign trail.