8 Jun 2018

Kate Spade's death ruled a suicide

9:02 am on 8 June 2018

A New York medical examiner has ruled Kate Spade's death was caused by suicide, two days after the fashion designer died in her Manhattan flat.

Designer Kate Spade

Designer Kate Spade (file photo). Photo: AFP

Spade's body was discovered on Tuesday by a cleaner in her Park Avenue home.

Her family said that Spade would have liked if her death could help shed light on mental health issues.

"One thing we feel is that any talk that they do that helps somebody else - Katy would have liked that," her 89-year-old father, Frank Brosnahan, told the Kansas City Star.

"She was always giving and charitable. If that helped anybody avoid anything - fine, she'd be delighted."

Mr Brosnahan said that the iconic designer had "been taking some pills, which I advised her not to take", and said that he was aware that his most famous of six children had been having mental health issues.

"Well, I don't know what happened," her father said while recalling a phone conversation they had the night before she died.

"The last I talked with her ... she was happy planning a trip to California to look at colleges. She doted on her daughter."

Spade's 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix, was not at home when the death occurred, police said.

Police have previously said that she left a note pointing to "a tragic suicide", but her husband, Andy Spade, said on Wednesday that he had "yet to see any note".

Her husband and business partner said that Spade had been taking medication to deal with depression and anxiety, but that her death was a "complete shock".

He said she "sounded happy" the night before her death, and added that his priority is caring for their daughter as she deals with her "unimaginable grief".

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz

What's Up: online chat (7pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 children's helpline (1pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-10pm weekends)

Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

- BBC