The family of late fashion designer Kate Spade is not happy about her sister’s public comments following her death.
55-year-old Spade was found dead Tuesday from suicide by hanging, ET Canada can confirm following a ruling from the New York Medical Examiner.
RELATED: David Spade Mourns Sister-In-Law Kate Spade’s Death
In statements to several outlets later that day, Spade’s sister Reta Saffo said that her suicide was “was not unexpected by me” after years of depression.
Speaking to People, a source close to Spade’s family refuted Saffo’s account, claiming that Saffo has long been estranged from the family.
“The family is disgusted and saddened that at this time of great sorrow, Kate’s sister who has been estranged from the entire family for more than 10 years would choose to surface with unsubstantiated comments,” the source said. “Her statements paint a picture of someone who didn’t know her at all.”
Saffo told The Kansas City Star in an email that she regularly spoke to Spade on the phone for between six and seven hours.
“I’d flown out to Napa and NYC several times in the past 3-4 years to help her to get the treatment she needed,” Saffo wrote. “She was always a very excitable little girl and I felt all the stress/pressure of her brand may have flipped the switch where she eventually became full-on manic depressive.”
“After numerous attempts, I finally let go,” Saffo added. “Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves!”
