Mary Kennedy reburied away from Kennedy family

(AP) CENTERVILLE, Mass. - Seven weeks after she hanged herself, Mary Richardson Kennedy was reburied in a Cape Cod cemetery 700 feet from her original grave near other Kennedy family members.

Frank Maki, superintendent of the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery near Hyannisport, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Robert Kennedy's estranged wife was exhumed earlier this month. She was first buried on May 19 near her husband's aunt and uncle, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver.

Robert Kennedy Jr. reportedly asked that Mary Kennedy be reburied on a hilltop surrounded by empty plots he's negotiating to buy.

Calls from the AP to people representing Mary and Robert Kennedy were not immediately returned on Saturday.

The 52-year-old mother of four hanged herself on May 16 in a barn by the couple's home in New York's Westchester County amid bitter divorce proceedings, after he won temporary custody of their four children, ages 11 to 18.

Since he filed for divorce two years ago, her battle against drug and alcohol addiction included an arrest for driving while intoxicated. An autopsy report showed she had antidepressants in her system when she died.

In a court affidavit linked to their divorce, Robert claimed his wife beat him, threatened suicide in front of her children, ran over the family dog and drank until she passed out.

The Richardson family said his account was filled with lies.

They lost a court fight to bury her at a location of their choosing.

The Cape Cod cemetery is in Centerville, near the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport.

Mary Kennedy's relatives did not attend the funeral Robert Kennedy organized in Bedford, N.Y., the Westchester County town where they lived. After her burial, the Richardsons organized a private tribute to her in Manhattan.

Photos show her new grave near the cemetery entrance is marked by small religious statues and two American flags.

[KPeters_from_UK]

To all of those complaining against the Kennedys: How many of you are planning on being buried to their EXs? I have never heard of anyone being buried next to their addicted abusive ex-partners. How many have you heard of?

[Bojax39]

by KPeters_from_UK: "How many of you are planning on being buried to their EXs?"

Dead is dead. Can't see how it makes much difference where you rot or who rots nearby. Death levels the field so it doesn't much matter if you were an ass or an angel. Making a useless point in this way is vulgar and brutish, Kennedy or not.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Sure. That's fine for you and I accept that but for hte Kennedy haters on this thread who are appalled I still need to ask the same questions: To all of those complaining against the Kennedys: How many of you are planning on being buried to their EXs? I have never heard of anyone being buried next to their addicted abusive ex-partners. How many have you heard of?

[nancy_naive]

It's probably the Catholic Church behind this... If the family plot had been blessed, i.e., "made hallowed" then the church would have pressured to have the body moved. Suicides cannot be buried in hallowed ground.

[knewsteerrrrr]

n a court affidavit linked to their divorce, Robert claimed his wife beat him, threatened suicide in front of her children, ran over the family dog and drank until she passed out.

The Richardson family said his account was filled with lies"

Sure, but she DID have drugs in her system, arrests for drunk driving, and she DID have drugs in her system when she HUNG herself in the barn, offhand I'd say HIS description of her was accurate, the family is in denial and clueless, besides, they say the family is always the LAST to know.

[debz150]

Unless the husband had a girlfriend/mistress who was involved and he was trying to make his wife look bad so he could get the children and everything else. Many people are on prescribed medications and if all the children were taken away from this family when a parent did drugs or drank all the homes would be vacant of children for the most part.

[Rocksman]

RK is a peace of work.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Yeah, I would want my divorce addicted abusive partner to be buried with me too.

[LunaAzule]

If she was such a horrible mother, why did he wait until the divorce to take them from her? That legal maneuver is done out of spite and/or so as to not pay child support. "Money buys cars, jets and ass but it's never bought class"

[lovelygal900]

How sad that is why didnt he just leave her buried where she was. these kennedy I dont undestand them at all. especially Robert kennedy Jr he had problem with drug himself and he was arrested for it. he know to look at himself real hard. shame on you Robert for what you done there.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Would you want your ex to be buried next to you?

[animaltoo]

Seems like decency for the kids' sake would have left the woman alone in her grave.

[carolhill814]

This poor woman lived a sad life and now they can't let her rest in peace what a horrible horrible family the Kennedy's are and that is a fact.

[knewsteerrrrr]

she's *DEAD* not "resting" she doesn't care now

[JaySatCBS]

Hey, Bob! I know you're Catholic, but Jesus Christ! Exhume your dead wife, the mother of your children? What kind of a demented sadist are you? I can se where some of your wife's mental health problems stem from, not that you've got one ounce of compassion in your black-hearted soul! See you in hell, Bob!

[Zeddikus]

I am pretty sure she did not mind. Now, what his kids will think is a different matter.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Since when does the Catholic Church accept suicides?