The world of journalism and environmental advocacy mourns the loss of Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy. The 35-year-old science reporter, who worked for The New York Times, passed away after a battle with cancer, her family announced on Tuesday.
A Life Dedicated to Science and Storytelling
In a heartfelt statement shared on the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's Instagram account, the family expressed their profound grief. "Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts," the post read. Schlossberg had bravely documented her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia in a powerful essay for The New Yorker magazine in November 2023.
Beginning her career as a summer intern at The New York Times in 2014, Schlossberg's talent was quickly recognized. She was soon hired as a full-time reporter, initially covering the Metro section. Her work focused on science and climate change, where she used her platform to educate and inform the public on critical environmental issues.
The Bizarre Central Park Bear Cub Mystery
One of the most unusual stories from Schlossberg's early career resurfaced recently, involving a close relative. On October 7, 2014, a news report titled 'Bear Found in Central Park Was Killed by a Car, Officials Say' was published under her byline. The article detailed the discovery of a six-month-old, 44-pound bear cub in New York's Central Park by a woman walking her dog.
According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the cub died from "blunt force injuries consistent with a motor vehicle collision." The NYPD's Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad looked into the case. In her report, Schlossberg highlighted the lingering mysteries, asking how the bear ended up in the park and whether foul play was involved.
RFK Jr.'s Shocking Confession a Decade Later
The story took a dramatic and unexpected turn nearly ten years later, in early August 2024. Schlossberg's relative, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who currently serves as the US Health Secretary in Donald Trump's administration, claimed responsibility for the incident. As reported by The New York Times, Kennedy stated he found the idea of placing the bear in the park "amusing."
Kennedy elaborated in a video posted on social media platform X, during a conversation with actress Roseanne Barr. He claimed he was driving through Hudson Valley when he saw a woman hit and kill the bear cub with her van. "I pulled over and I picked up the bear and put him in the back of my van because I was going to skin the bear," Kennedy said, adding that the carcass was in good condition and he intended to use the meat.
He further explained that he later had to discard the bear because he needed to catch a flight. It was then that he decided to leave the carcass, along with an old bicycle, in Central Park to stage an accident scene. Kennedy also mentioned that fact-checkers from The New Yorker had contacted him about this story, which he predicted would be "a bad story."
Following this bizarre revelation, Tatiana Schlossberg responded, clarifying her position at the time of her original reporting. "Like law enforcement, I had no idea who was responsible for this when I wrote the story," she said. The incident adds a strange footnote to the life of a journalist remembered for her commitment to truth and environmental stewardship.
