Levin Staffer Hope Reichbach is Dead

Hope Reichbach, 22, communications director to Councilmember Steve Levin and an up-and-comer in New York politics, was found dead in Boerum Hill on Thursday afternoon, according to a police source.

Police were called to the Schermerhorn Street apartment at around 2:35 p.m., where Reichbach was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Reichbach was the daughter of the influential Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Gustin Reichbach, though at only 22 she had already become a mainstay of local politics. Last year, she ran for district leader, snagging 37 percent of the vote against veteran incumbent Jo Anne Simon. As Steve Levin’s aide, she was instrumental in overseeing issues such as the and school overcrowding in District 15.

The cause of her death was not immediately released, though according to police no criminality was suspected.

On Thursday night, locals were saddened by the news.

“This is distressing news,” said Howard Kolins, president of the Boerum Hill Association after the group's monthly meeting. "I felt that she was really concerned about doing well for the community.”

Kolins, who worked with Reichbach often, described her as “smart” and  “tenacious."

"I wanted to encourage her and wanted to see her succeed,"he said. "It’s admirable when someone is committed to improving the community, that what I really felt from her."

A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday at noon at Mount Sinai Synagogue at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn Heights.

Check back for updates as this story develops.