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Mary Kennedy's Family Hires Firm to Investigate Death

The Richardson family reportedly hired private investigators to learn more about the details of her death.

 

The family of Mary Richardson Kennedy reportedly hired Investigative Group International, a private investigation firm in Washington, to probe the details of according to a New York Post story.

The story states her husband, Robert Kennedy Jr., has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with her death and the Richardson family has not filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against him. The couple had been going through a divorce when Mary Kennedy committed suicide on May 16.

The Post quotes sources as saying they were interviewed by the firm about details of the hanging, such as whether Mary Kennedy was capable of tying a nautical knot for the noose or could have climbed up to a 12-foot beam to tie the rope she used to hang herself in the garage of her Bedford home.

Investigators also asked if any receipts for the purchase of a rope had been found and if any ropes were stored in the barn, The Post reports. According to "communications" the paper obtained, the family also asked the firm to help in “establishing Bobby’s activities and whereabouts in the days preceding Mary’s death.”

During those days, Mary Kennedy asked for help, according to papers released by the Bedford Police Department. She had taken to spending her days in bed and had asked the caretaker to pray for her, according to the family housekeeper. Details from the RFK, Jr.'s divorce affadavit include allegations that Mary Kennedy was physically abusive to her husband and threatened to kill herself.

Mary Kennedy's death according to the Westchester County Medical Examiner. An autopsy later showed her system had no alcohol in it but had traces of three anti-depressants at the time of her death.

The investigative firm reportedly selected Gary Fishman, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney, to head up the probe which began shortly after Mary Kennedy's death. A spokesperson for IGI declined to comment and told the Post that Fishman had left their company in September.

The Richardson family and Robert Kennedy, Jr. also declined to comment to the Post.

RFK, Jr. recently put the Bedford home where Mary Kennedy hanged herself on the market. The New York Daily News reports that the home already has a buyer.

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Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.