RFK Granddaughter's Death Ruled Accidental Overdose

BARNSTABLE, MA — Saoirse Kennedy Hill, a granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy, died of an accidental drug overdose, officials said. According to her death certificate, obtained by WCVB 5, toxicology tests found methadone, fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, diazepam, nordiazepam and alcohol in the 22-year-old's system.

Officials said Hill overdosed at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port Aug. 1. First responders brought her to Cape Cod Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

In a statement after her death, the Kennedy family said they will always remember Hill's passion for human rights and her efforts building schools for indigenous communities in Mexico.

A statement issued by the Kennedy family said:

"Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse. Her life was filled with hope, promise and love. She cared deeply about friends and family, especially her mother Courtney, her father Paul, her stepmother Stephanie, and her grandmother Ethel, who said, The world is a little less beautiful today. She lit up our lives with her love, her peals of laughter and her generous spirit. Saoirse was passionately moved by the causes of human rights and women's empowerment and found great joy in volunteer work, working alongside indigenous communities to build schools in Mexico. We will love her and miss her forever."

Hill, the daughter of Courtney Kennedy Hill, was a communications major at the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College. She was set to graduate this year.