Robert F. Kennedy’s wife, Mary, was ‘lost and alone’ before her suicide

The estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was "lost and alone" before she hung herself on Wednesday, said a neighbor, according to The New York Daily News.

Mary Richardson Kennedy, the mother of four children, was found hanging in a barn behind her Westchester home by a family housekeeper.

Medical officials in New York confirmed on Thursday that she had died of asphyxiation caused by hanging, according to the BBC. Toxicology results would not be available for several months, said a spokeswoman for the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office.

The couple, who were married in 1994, had split almost exactly two years ago, said The New York Daily News, and friends of Mary's said it was a devastating blow to her.

The Daily Beast painted a picture of an architect, a hopeful bride and a devoted mother who later fell victim to anger and alcohol.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed for divorce on May 12, 2010, and the next evening police responded to a 911 call and found the couple arguing. A "domestic incident" report was filed, and two days later Mary Kennedy was arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to CNN.

More on GlobalPost: Mary Kennedy found dead

A neighbor said, "She always seems lost these days, whenever she came into the village. Lost and alone and sort of out of it," according to The New York Daily News.

Mary's family released a statement saying, "We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her. Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation," according to CNN.

In a statement, the Kennedy family said, "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," according to Politico.