Andy Spade Releases Statement Following Wife Kate Spade's Death

Andy Spade is breaking his silence.

On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, Kate Spade's husband released a statement addressing the late fashion designer's passing, one day after she was found dead of an apparent suicide.

"Kate was the most beautiful woman in the world," his statement began (via E! News). "She was the kindest person I've ever known and my best friend for 35 years. My daughter and I are devastated by her loss, and can't even begin to fathom life without her. We are deeply heartbroken and miss her already."

Andy continued, "Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn't her. There were personal demons she was battling."

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Kate Spade's body was discovered by a housekeeper in her New York City apartment on the morning of Tuesday, June 5, 2018. According to a CNN source, she reportedly used a scarf to hang herself from a doorknob. She was 55 years old. 

Since then, numerous reports have surfaced surrounding her death, including speculation about her battle with mental illness, alleged marital problems, and a reported suicide note addressed to the couple's 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix. In his recent statement, Andy set the record straight on these ongoing rumors.

"For the past 10 months we had been living separately, but within a few blocks of each other," he stated. "Bea was living with both of us and we saw each other or spoke every day. We ate many meals together as a family and continued to vacation together as a family. Our daughter was our priority. We were not legally separated, and never even discussed divorce. We were best friends trying to work through our problems in the best way we knew how. We were together for 35 years. We loved each other very much and simply needed a break."

Andy's statement continued, "This is the truth. Anything else that is out there right now is false. [Kate] was actively seeking help for depression and anxiety over the last 5 years, seeing a doctor on a regular basis and taking medication for both depression and anxiety. There was no substance or alcohol abuse. There were no business problems. We loved creating our businesses together. We were co-parenting our beautiful daughter. I have yet to see any note left behind and am appalled that a private message to my daughter has been so heartlessly shared with the media."

"My main concern is Bea and protecting her privacy as she deals with the unimaginable grief of losing her mother," he concluded. "Kate loved Bea so very much."

Our thoughts are with Kate Spade's loved ones during this difficult time.