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Kate Spade’s Husband Says Designer Was Battling Depression Before Her Death

Katie Jerkovich Entertainment Reporter
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Kate Spade’s husband said that the famed fashion designer was battling depression before her apparent suicide on Tuesday.

In a statement to the Associated Press Wednesday, Andy Spade explained that the creator of Kate Spade New York was “seeing a doctor on a regular basis and taking medication for both depression and anxiety” for the last five years.

Kate Spade attends The TriBeCa Ball Fundraising Gala for the NY Academy of Art at New York Academy of Art on March 2, 2009 in New York City. (Photo: Getty Images)

attends The TriBeCa Ball Fundraising Gala for the NY Academy of Art at New York Academy of Art on March 2, 2009 in New York City. (Photo: Getty Images)

The designer’s husband also shared that there were “personal demons she [Spade] was battling.” But her death came as a “complete shock.”

“There was no indication and no warning that she would do this,” Andy said. “It was a complete shock.”

The fashion designer was found hanged Tuesday morning in her New York City home in her bedroom. She was 55 years old.

A suicide note reportedly left near the body was addressed to her 13-year-old daughter and explained that her death “was not her fault,” according to TMZ.

“Bea–I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy,” the note read.

In 1993, Spade started a small label called Kate Spade New York and opened up a shop in the city three years later, according to the company website. The company eventually grew to 140 retail shops throughout the United States, with 175 stores worldwide.