Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence, which some readers may find distressing.

It's often said that truth is stranger than fiction, and this situation exemplifies that notion.

According to Politico, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arranged for the exhumation and relocation of his ex-wife Mary Richardson Kennedy's body.

Kennedy Jr., the nephew of the late US President John F. Kennedy, had the grave of his ex-wife dug up in 2012, a decision that surprised many even then.

Mary tragically died by suicide at the age of 52, amid a divorce process with her husband and struggles with alcohol addiction.

Reportedly, there were significant disputes between Kennedy Jr. and his estranged wife's family regarding her final resting place.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had his ex-wife's grave exhumed and moved (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Kennedy Jr. won a court case against her siblings, securing her burial at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, near the Kennedy compound. However, her siblings preferred her to be buried near their home in New York for regular visits.

A gravedigger involved in the exhumation revealed that Kennedy Jr. 'didn’t realize how crowded the original site was until after the funeral, and wanted to ensure she rested among family members'.

He arranged for her relocation to a section where the Kennedys were acquiring 50 plots, ensuring she would be surrounded by family.

Initially, the new gravesite was unmarked, with only her grave, two American flags, and some religious icons present.

The gravedigger, Frank Maki, told the New York Daily News: "He chose an area of the cemetery with space for future expansion."

Her family, reportedly, wasn't informed about the relocation, and she was moved 700 feet away.

She was subsequently laid to rest near Kennedy Jr.'s aunt and uncle, Eunice and Sargent Shriver.

The couple had a troubled marriage (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Kennedy Jr. also delivered a eulogy at her funeral.

This was part of an intense family feud, as Kennedy Jr. accused his wife of beating him, frequently drinking to the point of passing out, and threatening self-harm in front of their four children.

Kennedy Jr. submitted a court affidavit seeking protection to prevent her from attacking him, arriving unannounced at his home, and to ensure she remained sober around the children.

Her family dismissed these accusations, labeling them as 'vindictive lies'.

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.

Alternatively, you can call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.