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Mary Kennedy on Antidepressants, But Sober at Death

Autopsy finds 3 antidepressants in Kennedy's blood

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 8, 2012 6:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mary Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s estranged wife who committed suicide in May, had three kinds of antidepressants in her system at the time of her death, but no alcohol, according to a toxicology report released yesterday. The medical examiner found Trazodone, Desmethylvenlafaxine, and Venlafaxine in Kennedy's blood when she hanged herself in a barn at her Westchester home, reports Reuters. Mary Kennedy had a long history of alcohol and drug problems, and had most recently been in rehab in February.

A 2005 photo of Mary Richardson Kennedy, who killed herself in May. A just-released medical report says Kennedy had three kinds of antidepressants in her system at the time of her death.
A 2005 photo of Mary Richardson Kennedy, who killed herself in May. A just-released medical report says Kennedy had three kinds of antidepressants in her system at the time of her death.   (AP Photo/Peter T. Michaelis, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Inkcognito
Jul 8, 2012 5:47 PM CDT
It's not surprising to hear that prescribed drugs played a part in this tragedy. One half hour of local or network  news shows where about 50% of the air time is devoted to "ask your doctor" ads pushing another pill to make you feel better while at the same time warning you numerous side effects; some of which seem worse than what you are taking the pill for. Death is a side effect? Give me a break!  People should wake up and realize that sometimes depression is an appropriate and healthy response to a life situation. Just like mourning still is until they can get it in the DSM-V and start pushing pills to avoid that  too.  Desensitizing yourself to life only makes life more difficult. If you place your hand on a hot iron it should hurt! That's how your body tells you something is wrong. Same holds true with emotions.   We are not only becoming a nation of physically flabby and unhealthy people, but emotionally flabby as well and that is unhealthy to say the least. 
Observer
Jul 8, 2012 2:43 PM CDT
How can this report call her sober when she had 3 powerful drugs in her system? If this was a poor single black woman, or Rick James, the news would say they were drug addicts. This spoiled woman of great privilege was a party girl addict not some sympathetic victim. The Kennedy's have been boozing and taking drugs heavily since JFK's two-faced life.  How much cocaine and expensive wine did she consume the previous 25 years? No excuses.
fractal
Jul 8, 2012 10:28 AM CDT
Some people just cannot do anti-depressants---it makes them crazy.  

 
suicide • antidepressant • alcohol • Westchester • Kennedy family • toxicology • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. • Mary Kennedy

 
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