Robert F. Kennedy's granddaughter dies at Hyannis Port compound

Saoirse Kennedy Hill, the 22-year-old granddaughter of Robert F. and Ethel Kennedy, died Thursday at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, of an apparent overdose, two people close to the family told The New York Times.

Emergency responders were called to the property in the afternoon, and Kennedy Hill, the daughter of Courtney Kennedy Hill, was pronounced dead at Cape Cod Hospital, the Times reports. "Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse," the Kennedy family said in a statement. "Her life was filled with hope, promise, and love." Ethel Kennedy, who lives at the compound, was also quoted as saying the world "is a little less beautiful today."

Kennedy Hill was studying communications at Boston College, and wrote about her struggles with depression and mental illness.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up