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Sources: Designer Kate Spade Found Dead In Manhattan Apartment In Apparent Suicide

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Designer Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment following an apparent suicide, sources tell our sister station, CBS New York.

The body of Kate Brosnahan, 55, was found hanging by her housekeeper at 10:20 a.m. at her home at Park Avenue and 77th Street. Brosnahan achieved fame in the fashion world under the name Kate Spade.

She left a note, sources said.

Her handbags created a huge sensation in the fashion industry in the 1990s, and her company, Kate Spade New York, had over 140 retails shops across the country and 175 internationally.

She was born in Kansas City in 1962 and went to Arizona State University where she met Andy Spade, who she eventually went into business with, forming the company Kate Spade New York in the early 1990s.

Brosnahan and Spade started the company after she worked at the magazine Mademoiselle. It eventually grew into a global lifestyle brand.

Just last year, Coach bought the Kate Spade company in a $2.4 billion deal.

News of her death prompted numerous tweets on Twitter, many urging people struggling with depression to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

"My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college," tweeted Chelsea Clinton. "I still have it. Holding Kate's family, friends and loved ones in my heart."

"Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family," tweeted Josh Groban.

Editor's note: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. You can also learn more and chat with them online by clicking here.

Check back soon for more on this developing story

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(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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