A 22-year-old granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy has died following an apparent overdose at the family's compound Massachusetts, the New York Times reports.
The Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts in 2009. Photo: AFP / Pool / Stew Milne
The Times identified the victim as Saoirse Kennedy Hill, a granddaughter of Robert Kennedy and family matriarch Ethel Kennedy, 91. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report with Massachusetts authorities.
"Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse," the Kennedy family said in a statement released to local media. "Her life was filled with hope, promise and love."
The statement quoted her grandmother as saying: "The world is a little less beautiful today."
Emergency responders were called to the Hyannis Port estate on Thursday afternoon (US time) and Ms Hill was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, where she was pronounced dead, the NYT reported.
A hospital spokeswoman could not be reached by Reuters for comment on Thursday evening.
Ms Hill was a student at Boston College, where she was a communication major and vice president of the Student Democrats, according to the New York Times.
The paper said she had written about struggling with mental illness while being a student at a private school in Massachusetts in 2016.
Ethel Kennedy has endured a series of tragedies that included the assassination of her husband and the untimely deaths of two of their 11 children.
-Reuters
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.