The Kennedy Curse strikes again as estranged wife of Robert F Kennedy Jr is found dead

The curse of the Kennedy family has struck again after Mary Richardson Kennedy, the estranged wife of Robert F Kennedy Jr, was found dead today.

The body of the 52 year old was discovered in an out-building at her Mount Kisco home in New York.

The mother-of-four reportedly took her own life.

As yet no cause of death has been released, but American media is reporting that she was discovered hanged.

An autopsy for the 52-year-old has been scheduled for today.

Mary Kennedy, an architect, had in the past struggled with drug and alcohol issues, and had been arrested twice for driving under the influence.

She was first arrested in May 2010 and charged with driving while intoxicated.

Her only passenger was a dog, and police said she had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11 per cent; the legal limit is 0.08 per cent.

Her license was suspended.

Mr Kennedy, a radio host and lawyer, is the son of Senator Robert F Kennedy and the nephew of President John F Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated.

A statement issued today by Robert Kennedy Jr's chief of staff, said Mary Kennedy, "inspired our family with her kindness, her love, her gentle soul and generous spirit."

"Mary was a genius at friendship, a tremendously gifted architect and a pioneer and relentless advocate of green design who enhanced her cutting edge, energy efficient creations with exquisite taste and style."

Robert F Kennedy Jr married Mary Richardson in 1994, it was Mr Kennedy's second marriage and the ceremony was conducted on a boat on the Hudson River.

They were married until 2010 when Mr Kennedy filed for divorce. They had four children.

Yet another unexpected death related to the Kennedy clan is likely to fuel once again discussion of the so-called Kennedy curse.

A number of unexpected deaths have struck the family including the assassinations of President and Robert Kennedy, the deaths of President Kennedy's son and wife in a plane crash, and the deaths of two of Robert F Kennedy's sons, Michael and David in a skiing accident.

Click here or on the gallery above to read more about the so-called 'Kennedy Curse'.