Lisa de Kooning, above with John Schuld, supported Team River Runner among other organizations.
V.I. Police Department officials last week continued investigating the death of heiress Lisa de Kooning, who was found dead early Friday, November 23, in her Estate Enighed home.
On Friday November 23, at about 2:30 a.m. VIPD officers were dispatched to a residence in Estate Enighed on St. John in reference to an unresponsive person, according to a prepared statement from VIPD.
When officers arrived at the residence a male witness told police that he escorted the victim from her living room to her bedroom after she had finished drinking some wine, according to the statement.
The victim instructed him to lock her home office so he left the victim in the bedroom, according to police.
While locking the office, the male witness told police he heard a loud noise like someone fell, according to information from VIPD.
“The male discovered that the victim was lying on the floor outside of her bedroom,” according to the VIPD statement. “The witness said he tried to communicate with the victim but she was unresponsive. He said he picked up the victim, placed her on her bed and called 911.”
Emergency Medical Technicians present at the scene said the victim had no vital signs, according to VIPD.
Medical Technicians removed the victim from the home and the case remains under active investigation, according to the VIPD’s prepared statement.
Lisa de Kooning was the only daughter of famed abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning. She was instrumental in preserving his legacy and studio and, following his death in 1997, established a foundation in his memory.
Lisa de Kooning owned a home on St. John as well as residences in New York and the Bahamas. On Love City, she was known for her philanthropy, having contributed generously to the Team River Runner adaptive kayak program, Friends of V.I. National Park and other causes.
“Lisa de Kooning expertly and lovingly spearheaded the preservation and promotion of the legacy of her father Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) during her lifetime while she raised three beautiful children and was a dear friend to so many people,” according to her paid obituary printed in the New York Times on November 27. “Her frequent and sincere acts of generosity, great and small, enriched the lives of many individuals and organizations. In her philanthropic support she cared most deeply for causes related to children, animals, the arts, and education, a reflection of her love of family, beauty and knowledge.”
Lisa de Kooning was 56 years old and is survived by three daughters: Isabel, Emma and Lucy de Kooning Villeneuve.
VIPD officials did not release any additional information regarding de Kooning’s death last week and were still waiting for results from the territory’s medical examiner as of press time.
