David Spade is basically at a loss for words.
But he’s done his best to utter a few in the face of a major family tragedy.
As previously reported, Kate Spade committed suicide on Tuesday morning at the age of 55.
The body of this legendary designer was discovered inside her Manhattan apartment around 10:20 a.m., with Spade pronounced dead on the scene shortly after paramedics arrived.
There’s been an outpouring of sadness and sympathy on social media ever since news of this tragedy went viral, as countless celebrities who either met Kate Spade or carried around one of her handbags left comments on Twitter.
David, however, knew Kate far better than most.
She married his brother, Andy, back in 1994, after the two had met at Arizona State University.
Together, this husband and wife team built Kate’s designing business into a global empire.
In an Instagram photo and message posted Tuesday evening, the actor paid tribute to his sister-in-law via a throwback image and its affiliated caption.
“Fuzzy picture but i love it,” wrote David, adding in more detail:
Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still can’t believe it.”
In a separate Twitter post, the long-time comedic actor:
“Katy at my book signing. I love this pic of her. So pretty. I dont think everyone knew how f-cing funny she was… Its a rough world out there people. Try to hang on.”
Short. Simple. Sweet. Heartbreaking.
According to various sources, Kate Spade had a history of mental illness.
Her sister, Reta, has even angered some members of her family by telling The Kansas City Star that Spade’s suicide did not come as a surprise to her.
“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,” says Reta.
Insiders hsve confirmed that Kate Spade did leave a suicide note.
It aimed to absolve her 13-year daughter for any blame in her death, while seemingly pointing a finger at her husband.
According to TMZ, the note read as follows:
Bea – I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!”
(Kate’s daughter’s full name is Frances Beatrix.)
TMZ also claims that problems in her marriage recently led Kate down a dark and depressed path, one that eventually culminated in this suicide.
Spade reportedly used a scarf and a knob on her bedroom door to take her own life.
Said her relatives in a statement last night:
“We are all devastated by today’s tragedy.
“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.”
Elsewhere, Kate Spade New York, the company she founded but ultimate stepped down from over a decade ago, also released a statement after the news broke.
It reads:
We at Kate Spade New York just learned of the incredibly sad news that Kate Spade has passed.
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.
