Saoirse Kennedy Hill, a granddaughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has died from a suspected drug overdose. The 22-year-old was found unresponsive at the Kennedy family’s Cape Cod compound on Thursday afternoon. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The family released a statement, which reads in part: “Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse. Her life was filled with hope, promise, and love.”
The statement did not include a cause of death.
Saoirse was the only daughter of Courtney Kennedy Hill and Paul Hill, and the granddaughter of Ethel Kennedy. She never met her famous grandfather, the NY senator and Democratic presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1968.
According to People.com, Saoirse suffered from clinical depression and was hospitalized for a year while attending a private Massachusetts prep school.
In 2016, then-19-year-old Saoirse penned an essay for the student newspaper about her battle with depression.
“My depression took root in the beginning of my middle school years and will be with me for the rest of my life,” Saoirse wrote. “Although I was mostly a happy child, I suffered bouts of deep sadness that felt like a heavy boulder on my chest.”
She wrote about her wish for more open communication about mental health. She complained that the federally mandated HIPAA law made it difficult for her doctors to share her diagnosis with her school.
“HIPAA was designed to protect patient privacy, yet in my experience, it left me feeling very much alone,” Saoirse wrote. “In the future, I hope that the Health Center reaches out to students before they return from medical leave in order to discuss how the school can make their adjustment back to Deerfield less difficult. If they had reached out to me, I would have let them know that I wanted my circumstances shared with my teachers and advisors before I returned to campus; this would have made my transition back a lot easier.”
Saoirse’s friends and associates remembered her in social media tributes on Friday.
I tell ya them Kennedy’s have suffered some tragic losses.. r.i.p young lady.. 22yrs old so much life left to live
Damn the “curse” hit every generation.
That family curse still going? Damn hopefully the next gen will be better. RIP baby girl
Yup all cuz of how the first one did that sister.
I always heard it was because of something happening during the prohibition period…double crossing and some kind of curse.
WOW….22. Rest easy.
I had no idea that Bobby Kennedy’s widow–this girls granny–was still kicking it. Til it was reported last night she died at her grandma house. Ethel Kennedy. 91 years old. So sad man. They done been through a helleva lot of death.
Im with Virgo…I think it was bc they were ashamed of Rosemary who was born delayed. They locked her away, gave her a lobotomy in 1941 and the bullshit started very soon after that with them dying young and if not young, horrid deaths. And she had the last ah ha if you will. Still lived til she was 85 years old.
That family has suffered a tremendous amount of tragedy over the years.
Papa Joe must have sold his soul to the devil
Wow! Didnt know the back story but that could DEFINITELY be one of the causes(if not THEE cause) for the curse on that family!
RIP??
Having a family member with depression , schizophrenia, bi polar disorder or manic depression can be an up hill battle if it is not managed properly. They need genuine advocates to act on their behalf. The stigma surrounding the illness makes it hard for them to live a normal life. By managing their treatment the affects of the illness on their mental health is contained. Be an advocate today.
That Kennedy curse is real. I don’t know these ppl but i wouldn’t wish debilitating grief or death on anyone.
Just sad.
I really did not know this.
“The more you learn”.
They have a whole ass Wikipage thats pure titled, The Kennedy curse. My older sister did a paper on them back when she was in college on prominent American families, and it was bad even back THEN. Mid 80’s. So she aint even make it to the present day stuff. She basically stopped when the above deceased girl, her uncle David died of an overdose as well in like 1985. But like clockwork, every 2-3 years something happens. Sometimes more often than that. Someone said the great grandad musta sold his soul to the devil above. He did something for sure.
It really is. This is terrible.
Its interesting to say the least.
Born into wealth… all that money and still not happy. That struggle with depression is a real and powerful thing.
R.I.P.
I honestly don’t know if there’s a real “Kennedy curse” like people say. They’re a large family, and every family is going to have it’s share of pain and tragedy. I think theirs just gets highlighted because they’re in the public eye.
Its definitely a kennedy curse.. jus like there is a debarge curse…these 2 families be going thru hell!
Sigh. Depression, I know this demon well….beautiful young lady. RIP .
Now, let me be the devil’s advocate for a minute here.
Mental illness was not understood at all in those days. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that just what they did back then…..asylums and lobotomies? Not sure much else was available or understood back then, even to the wealthy.
Just a thought. Cuz if they were doing all that they knew to do or what the MD prescribed then one could say they acted in good faith. This Kennedy curse is undeniable…. wonder if Rosemary being born with such disabilities was not the origin of the “curse” but rather part/start of the curse itself.
Sorry so long. As you can see, I got a little time on my hands today.
Because every family dynamic has had some generational curse … every …..
Poor baby. She was way too young. Twenty two years old….. I feel really bad. I know what it is like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. But God. May she rest in peace. The Kennedys have suffered tremendous loss over the years. They need someone that can/will break the family curse!
Happens in the hood all the time so it happening in the comfort of the hils garners no special sympathy FROM ME! THIS HAPPEN EVERYDAY.. SO NOW HARSHER PENALTIES FOR BLACKS and special rehabilitation/existse for white!
Exactly! If that’s the case then their a huge CURSE in the hood!
Ray Ray and Shaunice family is enduring a HOTTER HELL AS THEY GET NO ATTENTION, HAVE NOT CONFORT AND NOT GIVING ANY TREATMENT OTHERS THAN A FOSTER HOME AND A CELL!
The lore is she was just fine before the procedure. just slow. Yes it was par for the course for the times. but she was a full adult by the time they did it. 24 years old I think I read once. I have a 24 year old myself and ummm no. Anyways the procedure left her an invalid. Not sure if her being born with the disabilities was part of the curse and now I shall ponder on it. Perhaps indeed.
God bless you
I heard of this, but the curse would’ve been put on the Family before then.
A child born of extreme privilege takes their life because they are unhappy with said life and privilege. Why is this news exactly???
https://media1.giphy.com/media/dOWCiLov8ZMRO/giphy.gif
Im sorry school me..who is ray ray n shaunice?
In da hood
That is not why depressed people take their lives. As someone who suffers from depression – and attempted suicide in middle school – I can tell you that depression feels like the weight of the world is on you. Your only option is to take your life to end the suffering.
Im now seeing that is quite possible. They been fkked up a long ass time if that is the case. Oh well
Very interesting, just like the Guinness family, not sure about the Getty family too I think they also had generational curses. Very tragic
So sad…the kennedy’s have GOT to break the generational curse in their family!!!
God bless you too Sandra
If she committed suicide, it was an intentional overdose of prescription drugs – not an opioid overdose. Have some empathy.
Its a literal term to be taken seriously. Ppl have generational curses and the kennedys have a spirit of DEATH in their bloodline that needs to be broken.
it hits at least 3 generations.
Exactly. Lots of “our” families deal with drug addiction, jail, tragic deaths, alcoholism, domestic violence, you name it. I guess we’d have to call that a curse too (?) It’s sad, but that’s just life. Life is tough. These families just pick up the pieces and try to move on the best they can.
Lol ahhh i got ya
I just can’t find sympathy for a privileged white woman killing herself. That family has everything and they continue to use drugs and are very morally weak. She had access to the best doctors and yet she chose to kill herself?
You are so tone def to the situation and need to educate yourself more about the illness. I am not trying to insult you but just trying to let you know you lack empathy and understanding. Money don’t mean you are happy and illnesses in general do not discriminate. There was a history of mental illness in the family and she might have been a gene carrier.
People who suffer from clinical depression truly believe they have no other option but to kill themselves to end the pain and suffering. Thank God you don’t know what that feels like.
facts!
How you pronounce this name?
Having a brother with Schizophrenia I have learned that if you lack empathy and under standing you are never going to be a good advocate for your family members or anyone.
Ni99as die eryday B!
Not to mention, I have no sympathy for her.
https://media3.giphy.com/media/5R31B2VfdmL3LFSAOF/giphy.gif
It’s there.
Poor baby, she was crying out and no one listened. Rest her soul!
I suffer from bouts of depression, it’s not as easy as people think it is to deal with. But committing suicide is the furthest thing on my mind. I understand it though.
I agree. I could see if she was a druggie who died of an accidental overdose. She was a child who suffered from depression her whole life. Empathy is appropriate here.
A lot of tragedy for one family. Hell has anyone died of old age in that family tree?
Thank you, Auntie. Depression is a debilitating disease. It sucks the life right out of you.
I had a cousin who was three years older than me and at the time I was 18. She was bi -polar so her mom institutionalized her. The illness took a toll on her and my close fried and cousin saved up all her meds and OD’d. It devastated our whole family and we have learned to be more understanding and practice empathy because you never know who this illness will effect.
God bless you
I can empathize whilst trying to ascertain why this is news. What I said about her, I’ve said to myself about myself. Kids kill themselves every dang day and yet, this child makes headlines because of her privileged name.
Blessings to you Sandra…
I had a close cousin who saved up her meds and OD’d when I was 18. We never understood why at the time but now we are more aware of it since my brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. You need to make sure they have plans for the next day and you have to engage them when they are in a fog. Learning their triggers in the case of depression and Bi polar is very key to helping them.
A curse without a cause will not come. While we are all dealing with mess that our ancestors did, the Kennedy’s are dealing with something more serious and potent.
Breaking it, I believe, would call for acknowledgement and repentance.
These folks may not even be aware of what actually caused this….as many of us are in the same boat.
The Kennedys are cursed .
Praying for you. I know that feeling. Only through God’s grace have I made it through.
They made a deal with the devil and they have plenty of blood on their hands!!
Exactly.
My brother is schizophrenic also. Not easy at all.
Amen to that. My mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and my brother is schizophrenic. I have dealt with this my whole life. It is a generational curse but that thing is broken in my family by the power and the authority of the Holy Ghost. I refused to let my mom or brother suffer alone. It is very challenged but I’m never scared of a Goliath!
Some of these comments below are unbelievable. A life has been lost, and a family is hurting. Some of y’all could at least try to have a little humanity about the situation. smh
Its bc they aint black and why all this for a mayo. I get it but still.
No one knows why this child decided to take her life. My point was about why this is headline news. I just don’t get why this is news when kids of all different colors and backgrounds commit suicide everyday. Everyday.
Yes, my point was a bit callus and if I offended anyone, I apologize.
Not many. Grandma Rose who died at over 100 is all I can think of. And Ethel will. She is 91. Both married into the fam tho. But Rose was their matriarch
Their great grand daddy was a bona fide racist and Nazi sympathizer. Evil energy tends to affect later generations. RIP to this innocent young lady.
The Kennedy’s are one of the most well-known “cursed” families, however, I know plenty of Black families with generational curses. Some don’t even know it’s a curse because they have no idea who their parents or grandparents are/were. Some misfortunes are out of man’s control.
Peace, blessings and sound mind
Law of nature. Tragedy is an occurring and regular part of life. Bad things happen to us all. Nonetheless empathy must always be extended towards other human beings during times of tragedy. Well, with the exception of Trump of course.
Matriarch Rose as well as patriarch Joe.
Condolences to the family. Many considerations
Generational Curse
Self Fulfilling Prophecy
Learned Behaviors
Mental Illness Gene
Very Large Family
Right? It’s a uniquely Irish name.
I know what you mean, this is the month is hard for me. I get depressed because this is month my mother’s birthday and death. I’m try to be happy this month.
Wow.
Having everything does not create a healthy mind and soul. So yeah, depression says they can get it too.
Bruh..smh..a person has to be n some kind of PAIN, ??holistically??, to off themselves. Doctors and meds can honestly only do so much sometimes.
Please get a clue.
Or worse. I’m thinking dedication and oaths.
Empathy is a gift Sandra.
Oh my. That’s…whew. I wish you and your family all the healing and peace y’all can stand.
What a grievous disease man.
My grandfather said legend has it the Kennedy patriarchs had a curse put on them by a black moonshine man they cheated.
Yes, that’s what my grandfather told me.
Also Send. Ted Kennedy. His sister as well she was Maria Shriver’s mother. She founded the Special Olympics. I think her name was Eunice Kennedy.
Something happened to her some type of assault. Read her notice. Sad she was just a kid. Sad for any child to end a life that hasnt started. Sad and painful
It’s pronounced “Seer-sha”.
She’s a human being – periodT. A life lost. Background has nothing to do with that fact.
I’ve always felt that way. Be careful of the forces you choose to interact with for your own selfish gain & greed.
This is tragic, but I truly hold her parents partly responsible. I went to boarding school a few miles from Deerfield. It is rural and very isolated which only adds to the stress of being in a highly competitive place filled with kids of extreme privilege and often family fame. She showed AMAZING bravery to publically divulge her depression to people who would most probably see it as a weakness; especially being a Kennedy. It was a desperate cry for help. Her parents should NEVER has sent her back to Deerfield knowing she suffered from depression. It was like sending a dolphin into an ocean full of sharks. Rest in peace.
As many others have stated below. This family is “generationally” cursed…
That’s a sad situation and she has a beautifully unique name. Shame…such a young woman.
Correction “Died by suicide”
Very Real and Very powerful! Look at Kate Spade from last year! It’s unexplainable. Like when Don Cornelius died by suicide in his 70’s I believe…its tough.
yes that is still considered witchcraft. at least in my religion.
Thank you! I hate it and sometimes I there is nothing you can do to help but pray.
Amen.
I think if you go back through their history you will see A LOT of tragedy. Moreso than a lot of other large families. It’s highlighted because of who they are yes, but also because of how many times tragic things have happened. 2 assassinations, a plane crash, overdoses, brain cancer and many more that I can’t remember.
It’s a generational mental illness gene and they will never own it as a family because it places family members who are not mentally ill under a microscope.
Depression is a serious condition that I deal with, it is a constant cloud you feel inside of your spirit. I do truly understand why people commit suicide to silence the pain. Much condolences to her family.
That old curse again.
There are so many Kennedys plus Ethel had 11 kids! So I’m sure a number of them have made it passed 50-60+.
I’m sure a few of them just keep a low profile. I’d be proud of the name and nervous at the same time.
Best wishes to you and big hugs. Know that you are heard & important.
The illness makes you think that you have no hope. That life is pointless. No matter how you or others try to prop you up, you just see misery, gloom and suffering.
You can’t even run from it. You could be at a concert or the State fair and can’t figure out why you’re not happy.
It’s an illness like many others, but it resides in your mind.
San Dear…some people don’t get it because they don’t want to, Hun.
God bless all who struggle with Mental illness.
Folks who has never gon through Depression doesn’t understand the magnitude of a depressed person. It’s can sux the life right out a person leaving feelings hopelessness and despair. Most depress folks suffer in silence in fear of being judge and misunderstood. I hope that this young lady is finally at peace,depression is not easy to deal with. Secondly,maybe her overdose wasn’t accidental but intentional who really knows.
Thank you I really appreciate that.??
Thanks
This is sad … RIP to her… I was curious about how to pronunce her name… I googled it and found this: the correction pronounciation of “Saoirse” is “Ser-sha” — was not expecting that at all.
Inherited wealth is a burden, as much as a blessing. You can’t underestimate the toll that being a Kennedy takes on the heirs. The expectations are suffocating, not to mention the lack of familial bonding. I guess you have to witness or experience it to understand. I have, and it is heartbreaking. Money isn’t everything.
Inherited poverty is a burden.
No doubt. But that’s an entirely different conversation. My point is that everyone deserves empathy. And until we walk in their shoes, we shouldn’t judge their life experiences.
People who go around try to b perfect all day everyday are some of the most depressed people l know.
Ethel is in her 90s already so.
Did u ever think that her being notable brings more attention to a worthy cause. You need to be more careful about your criticism. It makes you seem shallow and void of any feelings.
Bless you my sister.
I could believe that.
Thank you
Ethel is an in-law
Prayers. Your mothers energy is eternal. Find ways to communicate with her. I hope you feel better.
Wow. Pretty cruel. Hope none of your offspring go through this.
That’s the point doe doe
I was wondering the same thing! Interesting spelling for that pronunciation.
I wouldn’t be shocked if it was a blood sacrifice it’s always easy to frame suicidal people and drug users.
They’ve already had 2
I was thinking say-or-see ?
What were you trying?
We’ll do our best to make you laugh every day ?
This part ??
Thanks!??
Thank you I appreciate it ????
I wonder who’s next
Sad, she would have been a strong voice and advocate mental health transparency and support!
Her story and heavy weight bout is all too familiar for many who suffer, battle, and succumb to this dark side!
Say-rose
I would not marry into that family.
Irish for Sarah.
Irish for Sarah
Deerfield is a beautiful area in Western Massachusetts – lots of skiing. The concern should be her essay: she advocated for mental health, disclosed sexual abuse by a family member, disgusted she was labeled as having an eating disorder (no), silently screaming for acknowledgement for who she really was – sad no one listened BUT she wrote. Admiration for this child,
The Kennedys are their worst enemy. Case(s) in point: who tosses a football around on a ski slope, who flies at night without knowledge of panel instruments, the list is endless …
….people who are so entitled that they are blind to risks and potential consequences that would deter ‘normal’ people’.
A Boston news outlet reported methadone or an empty methadone container was found near her body.
So sad!!!
She had everything to live for. Depression is real especially after sexual abuse.
This is so heartbreaking.
It’s not a curse.
They’ve had political tragedies.
But there is generational mental illness. Mental illness that throughout the generations has lead to many rash, inappropriate, dangerous, impulsive, violent, even murderous actions, and also debilitating addictions, domestic violence, and suicides.
For example, leaving a young woman to drown in a car and going about one’s day is an act of mental illness but it spins better to say it was based on ambition and fear for his political career.
I think her name means “freedom” in Irish. Her father was wrongly imprisoned for the IRA bombings.
I’m convinced there is a major curse on the Kennedy family… Smdh!… May this young lady RIP!
Yes, it does. Sarah is …?
The Kennedy’s are a cursed family.