The father of Kate Spade, who was found dead of an apparent suicide at age 55 earlier this month, died Wednesday night, the night before the designer’s funeral, the Kansas City Star reports. He was 89.
In a statement sent to the Star just minutes before the funeral in Kansas City began Thursday, a spokesman for the family said that Spade’s father, Earl F. Brosnahan, had been “in failing health” and was “heartbroken” over Spade’s death.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Katy’s father, Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. (Frank), passed away last night at age 89,” the statement read. “He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter. He was at home and surrounded by family at the time of his passing.”
Spade was found dead June 5 in her Manhattan apartment after an apparent suicide, according to law enforcement officials who spoke with the Associated Press.
The style icon’s body was found hanging by her housekeeper at around 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday at her Park Avenue residence, according to the AP.
Officials told the AP she left a note at the scene, but said they were not authorized to share its details.
The Kansas City, Missouri-born designer co-founded Kate Spade Handbags in the early ’90s, later expanding the handbag enterprise to include clothing, shoes and other fashion accessories. Her Hollywood ties include comedian David Spade — she married his brother, Andy, in 1994 — and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan, who is her niece.