Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesMore details are beginning to emerge about the tragic death of Mary Kennedy.
An autopsy report reveals that Robert Kennedy Jr.'s estranged wife died from asphyxiation due to hanging, the Westchester County medical examiner confirms to E! News.
Mary, 52, was found dead Wednesday at her husband's home in Bedford, N.Y.
Political scion Robert Jr., a prominent environmental activist and the third of Bobby Kennedy's 11 children, filed for divorce from Mary—his second wife—in 2010 after 16 years of marriage. The couple had four children together.
She was busted for DUI three days later and subsequently had her license suspended.
Per the Westchester Journal News, in 2007 Robert Jr. attempted to drive Mary to a hospital to get psychological help but she resisted, reportedly bolting from the car and out toward the road.
In response to the swirl of reports since yesterday that have touched on episodes in Mary's past, her family released a new statement today noting that the portrait of her painted by the media has been "wholly inconsistent with the sister we knew and the life she, in fact, lived."
"We loved Mary and knew her to be an exceptional mother, sibling and friend to many," they said. "Countless people have described her as an extraordinary mother, selfless in her desire to help others, and one of the finest people in the world. We know her as all those things, and more. She was generous, thoughtful, with a refined aesthetic, genius organizational abilities, boundless energy, physical stamina, and natural elegance. She laughed a lot. Her enthusiasms were deep. She loved to connect people, with no self-interest, and with great intelligence.
"We would ask the media to give us a few days to begin processing Mary's tragic death, and to fully understand all the circumstances around it," the statement continued.T"he first task is for Mary's family to take her to her final resting place, with the dignity and love she deserves. There will be plenty of time to correct all the inaccuracies and misrepresentations we are seeing in the media. Thank you for your understanding."
A private memorial service will be held in Manhattan.
UPDATE: Toxicology test results showed that three commonly prescribed antidepressants were in Kennedy's system and no alcohol.
—Additional reporting by Katie Rhames