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Robert F. Kennedy's Estranged Wife Found Dead In Westchester Home

BEDFORD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was found dead inside her Westchester County home on Wednesday.

Photos: Notable Deaths 2012

Mary Kennedy, 52, was discovered on the Bedford property and suicide is believed to be the cause of death, sources told CBS 2. Beford Police responded to the home on South Bedford Road around 1:30 p.m. on reports of a possible "unattended death."

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"We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her. Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation. We have no further comment at this time," Mary Kennedy's family said in a statement.

The body was in what was described as an "out building" on the spacious property, which includes a large two-story brick home with a spacious swimming pool, CBS 2's Lou Young reported.

RFK Home In Bedford
The Kennedy's home in Bedford, N.Y. (credit: CBS 2)

Mary Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy -- have four children together.  Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed for divorce, but there is no record that the proceeding was ever finalized.

Shortly after her husband filed for divorce in July 2010, Mary Kennedy had a very public struggle with drugs and alcohol. She was arrested for DUI when police spotted her driving over a curb outside a Bedford school.

Weeks later, she was busted again for driving under the influence of drugs. A judge later dismissed those charges, saying the evidence showed she didn't know the medications she had taken would impair her ability to drive.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

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