Kate Spade’s daughter Bea, a nickname for Frances Beatrix, is 13 years old. The teen was extremely close with her mom, and is said to be “devastated,” according to her father. On Tuesday, June 6, Kate Spade was found dead in her home on Park Avenue in New York. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Spade was found by her housekeeper around 10:20 a.m. She was on the floor of her bedroom and had a red scarf around her neck. The scarf was affixed to the closet doorknob. She was “unresponsive and cold to the touch,” when she was found. She was pronounced dead at the home and was taken out via stretcher, her body covered with a white sheet. Frances Beatrix was at school at the time, according to the Associated Press. According to TMZ, a note for “Bea” was left on Spade’s bed, not far from her body. “Bea – I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy,” the note read in part, according to TMZ. Andy Spade explained that he hasn’t seen the note that the media has shared with the public. “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 wrote. Kate and Andy Spade only had one child together. They welcomed Frances in 2005. There are very few photos of Frances online, as her parents shielded her from the public eye as best they could. The photos that are available show a very sweet young child, who had a sweet relationship with her mother, as most young girls do. Most of the pictures are from years ago. You can see some below. KATE SPADE TOOK HER LIFE AT 55. SHE WAS BILLIONAIRRE AND HAD HER DAUGHTER FRANCES BEATRIX WHO IS 13 THIS YEAR. SPADE MADE WONDERFUL CLOTHES FOR JUST PLAIN WOMEN TO LOOK FASIONABLE. pic.twitter.com/TLbW5d6vnK — RojerAils (@RojerAils) June 6, 2018 The photo below shows Kate Spade with a young Frances. 'This is not your fault': Kate Spade tells daughter in heartbreaking suicide note https://t.co/dI0VfR0P1s pic.twitter.com/FVGDtjlZAh — MSN Singapore (@MSN_Singapore) June 6, 2018 The photos below show Kate Spade with her husband, Andy. The photo of the left shows the couple with Frances, who looks to be about 4 or 5 years old. The photo on the right shows the Spades in happier times. Sources told TMZ that the couple had hit a rough patch and that Andy Spade wanted a divorce. However, Andy Spade released a statement in which he acknowledged the separation, but explained that divorce wasn’t on the table. “For the past 10 months we had been living separately, but within a few blocks of each other. 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 Spade wrote in his statement to the New York Times. Who Are Kate Spade's Husband and Daughter, Andy and Frances Beatrix? https://t.co/BldAL2gZmt pic.twitter.com/NOmrRq1qfK — Spodliss (@spodliss) June 5, 2018 The next photo appears to be the most recent one of Frances that the media has uncovered since Kate Spade’s tragic passing. “We were co-parenting our beautiful daughter. … Kate loved Bea so very much,” Andy Spade ended the statement.<doc-sep>The world is mourning the death of fashion designer Kate Spade at only 55 years old. According to multiple reports, the American fashion designer hanged herself on Tuesday morning with a red scarf on a doorknob inside her New York City apartment. She was found unresponsive by her housekeeper who immediately called 911. Just minutes later, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials also revealed that the Kansas City, Missouri-native left behind a note. In the note, Spade told her 13-year-old Frances that she should not blame herself for her suicide, police sources told Page Six. According to law enforcement officials, the note read, "Bea - I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!" A source also told The Post that the fashion designer appeared to be having relationship problems, which may hint at why she took her own life. Spade's husband was reportedly in the apartment at the time of her death. "It was over family problems ... in her relationship," a police source told The Post. Spade, born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, leaves behind husband Andy (who is the brother of actor David Spade) and daughter Frances. She was also the aunt of actress Rachel Brosnahan, who stars in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." The iconic American fashion designer built her empire in 1993 with then-boyfriend Andy, whom she met in college. The handbag line expanded into a lifestyle brand through the years, with the company now offering jewelry, clothes and even home goods. Spade sold her company in 2007 to spend more time with daughter Frances, who was born in 2005. She reentered the fashion world in 2016 with a fashion brand named after her daughter called Frances Valentine. Following the news of her death, Kate Spade, which is now owned by Tapestry, released a statement on her death: "Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time." For more on Spade's passing, watch the video above. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.<doc-sep>kate spade suicide note Fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead this morning in her home at 850 Park Avenue. She reportedly hung herself with a scarf tied to a doorknob while her husband Andy was in another room. She was found by her housekeeper. She left a note. Before we get into the details of her death and note, please know that there are people who can help if you're feeling hopeless. Call a friend. Call a family member. Call the national suicide hotline at 800-273-8255. You are important. You are needed here on earth. Here's what we know so far about Kate Spade's death and Kate Spade's suicide note to her daughter: RELATED: 15 Best Kate Spade Quotes About Life, Business, And Making An Entrance 1. Her final thoughts were for her daughter. In her suicide note, Kate Spade reportedly told her daughter that is was not her fault. A post shared by Kimberly Rowe (@kimberlyrowepaints) on Jun 5, 2018 at 1:38pm PDTIs Kate Spade Related To David Spade? 2. The note was addressed to her daughter. The suicide note was found on a bed near her lifeless body. Sources with the police department have reported the note was addressed to her daughter and said: "Bea - I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!" RELATED: Is Kate Spade Related To David Spade? A post shared by Closer Weekly (@closerweekly) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:09pm PDT 3. Her daughter was not home at the time. Kate's husband Andy was home at the time of her suicide and in another room. Thankfully, the couple's 13-year-old daughter Frances Beatrix Spade, was not home at the time. She was at school. A post shared by Tricia Grainger-Viles (@miss_tricia2) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:07pm PDT 4. Why did she kill herself? While earlier in the day Page Sixreported a police source had told the New York Post that "police believe the suicide was 'over family problems ... in her relationship,'” Spade's sister Refa Saffo has since shared that while her suicide was tragically "not unexpected." Story continues Saffo shared the following statement with The Kansas City Star: "I will say this was not unexpected by me. 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 (inpatient hospitalization). She was always a very excitable little girl and I felt all the stress/pressure of her brand (KS) may have flipped the switch where she eventually became full-on manic depressive ... "I'd come so VERY close to getting her to go in for treatment (to the same place Catherine Zeta-Jones went for her successful bipolar treatment program). I'd spoken with them on the phone (not telling them exactly who the patient would be). They agreed to fly in and talk with her and take her with them to the treatment center. "She was all set to go — but then chickened out by morning. I even said I (would) go with her and be a 'patient' too (she liked that idea) I said we could talk about it all — our childhood, etc. That I could help her fill in any blanks she might have ... "That seemed to make her more comfortable, and we'd get sooo close to packing her bags, but — in the end, the 'image' of her brand (happy-go-lucky Kate Spade) was more important for her to keep up. She was definitely worried about what people would say if they found out ... "After numerous attempts [assisted by Spade's husband and business partner, Andy Spade], I finally let go ... Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves! One of the last things she said to me was, 'Reta, I know you hate funerals and don't attend them, but for me would you PLEASE come to MINE, at least. Please!' I know she perhaps had a plan, but she insisted she did not. "​ RELATED: How Did Kate Spade Die? New Devastating Details About The Tragic Death Of The Iconic Designer A post shared by Molly Squires Art + Design (@molly_squires_art) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:02pm PDT 5. The housekeeper found her. Kate's housekeeper found her with a red scarf tied to a closet doorknob in the bedroom. She was cold and unresponsive. The housekeeper called 911 and then ran out to get the building superintendent who rushed upstairs, cut the scarf from her neck and attempted CPR. A post shared by Kathryn McRitchie (@kathrynmcritchie) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:06pm PDT 6. Her death is officially a suicide. The NYPD Chief of Detectives said the following at a press conference: ​“At this point, there was a note left. The contents of that note, as well as the physical state of the apartment and the comments of the witness, lend to the credibility that it is an apparent suicide." A post shared by Shari Allison (@shariallison07) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:05pm PDT 7. The CFDA honored her. Kate Spade was twice-honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The first time was in 1996 as an emerging accessories designer to watch and the second time in 1998 as the best accessories designer of the year. The group's annual gala and awards show took place Monday. Spade did not attend. The CFDA released a statement shortly after news of her death hit the wires. ​ CFDA heads Steven Kolb and Diane von Furstenberg said: 'The CFDA is devastated to hear the news of our friend, colleague, and CFDA member Kate Spade’s tragic passing. She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories. We want to honor her life and her major contribution to the fashion business and express our most sincere condolences to the family." A post shared by Suzanne (@suzie_uch) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:07pm PDT 8. Her daughter was her priority. Kate Spade left her business behind when her daughter was born. Shortly after Bea was born, Kate realized her priorities had shifted. As an experiment, Kate and Andy decided to see how many times they were called on to make a decision over the course of one day to determine whether or not to stay with the company. At the end of that day, Kate and Andy realized they had been contacted 266 times to make a decision. And, even more telling, it hadn't been a particularly busy day. Kate was in her early 40s and didn't want to consign the raising of her daughter to a series of nannies and babysitters while she was busy perusing leather dyeing options. Kate returned to the fashion world in 2016, and told the Wall Street Journal that her daughter was still her priority. "I kind of thought taking that time off was unbelievably amazing. I thought it was, like, a gift. I really did." Once she was back at work, she loved taking her daughter to her studio on the weekends. A post shared by Floral Headpieces (@fauxfloralcouture) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:04pm PDT Our hearts are with Andy, Bea, and the entire Spade and Brosnahan families. Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook. read more<doc-sep>
The famous handbag designer's sister said the suicide was not a surprise. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more! Famed handbag designer Kate Spade left a suicide note with a heartbreaking message for her family. "Bea - I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!" she wrote to her 13-year-old daughter Frances, according to TMZ. Spade, 55, hanged herself with a scarf and was found by a housekeeper in her Park Avanue apartment. Her husband Andy Spade picked up their daughter from school with police, and "everyone was crying," People reported. Spade's family said they were struggling to comprehend the designer's demise. “We are all devastated by today’s tragedy,” her family said in a statement. “We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time.” One of Spade's sisters, Reta Saffo, told the New York Daily News that the suicide didn't come as a surprise. “I will say this was not unexpected by me. 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 (inpatient hospitalization)," she wrote in an email. "She was always a very excitable little girl and I felt all the stress/pressure of her brand (KS) may have flipped the switch where she eventually became full-on manic depressive." The sister said she tried to get help for Spade in a mental health facility. “She was all set to go — but then chickened out by morning. We’d get sooo close to packing her bags, but — in the end, the ‘image’ of her brand (happy-go-lucky Kate Spade) was more important for her to keep up," she wrote. "She was definitely worried about what people would say if they found out.” Spade's company also put out a statement about the suicide. “Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand,” it said. “Kate will be dearly missed.” Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts are encouraged to seek help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to provide emotional support during mental health emergencies, 24/7. They can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. [Photo: Getty]