Mary Jo Kopechne

Mary Jo Kopechne was a former campaign staffer for Robert F. Kennedy.

On July 18,1969, Kopechne was killed when a car she was in plunged from a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. Edward Kennedy was driving that car.

Earlier in the evening, Kopechne was attending a party with several other people on the island near Martha's Vineyard when Kennedy offered to drive her home. When the car went off the bridge and into the water, Kennedy swam to safety, but the 28-year-old Kopechne drowned.

Fast Facts

1. Born: July 26, 1940
2. Birthplace: Forty Fort, Pennsylvania
3. Died: July 18, 1969
4. Former secretary for Robert F. Kennedy

Chappaquiddick Incident

After the car driven by Kennedy went over the bridge and into the water, he managed to swim to safety. Kennedy later claimed he tried to save Kopechne. He didn't report the incident until the next day, when the Kopechne's body was recovered.

Kennedy was later charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and sentenced to two months behind bars. That sentence was later suspended.

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