Shortly after Spade’s death, her husband Andy released a statement confirming that she had “suffered from depression and anxiety for many years”, but said he and their daughter had been “in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this.”

Andy Spade also criticised the media coverage of his wife’s death, which has frequently been ghoulishly intrusive and explicit – particularly in the US, where there are fewer restrictions and guidelines on how the media should report suicides. (In the UK, print and digital news outlets are required to adhere to the IPSO code of practice, which stipulates that publications should not include excessive detail about suicide methods, and suicide prevention charities like Samaritans also have media guidelines on how to report celebrity deaths.)

However, many American outlets have – dangerously and recklessly – published graphic details about Spade’s death, including the contents of a letter she allegedly left to her daughter.

“I have yet to see any note left behind and am appalled that a private message to my daughter has been so heartlessly shared with the media,” said Andy Spade.

“Kate was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known and my best friend for 35 years. My daughter and I are devastated by her loss, and can’t even begin to fathom life without her.”

If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, please call the Samaritans anytime, for free, from any phone, on 116 123.

If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support:

mind.org.uk

nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth

mentalhealth.org.uk

https://www.samaritans.org/

Mindy Kaling pays tribute to Kate Spade: “Depression can affect anybody”