Eight months after the death of rising pfashion designer in New Yorkthe researchers ruled that it was due to homicide.

The New York Police Department announced that the death of 35-year-old Kathryn Marie Gallagher was under investigation as a homicide after the medical examiner ruled that died of acute poisoning by toxic substancesthe New York Times reported.

Catherine Marie Gallagher was allegedly poisoned with a deadly cocktail of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl and ethanol, her autopsy revealed. Investigators believe the victim was unknowingly drugged by someone who intended to rob her.

The fashion designer has been spotted dead last July in her Manhattan apartment, in New York.

Authorities said they could not determine what was missing from her home, WNBC reported.

“The homicide determination announced by the medical examiner confirms what we knew: Katie was the victim of a crimeGallagher’s family told WNBC.

Gallagher’s death is one of several being investigated as drug-related thefts in New York, according to a report in The Guardian newspaper. There have been 26 similar cases in the city in the past year, although police have not confirmed there is a link between the fashion designer’s case and others.

Gallagher was a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and in 2010 launched her own clothing line. Her creations were worn by the singers Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, the actress-presenter, Laverne Cox and dancers of the New York City Ballet.

“She was unique, beautiful, intelligent, tireless and always loved. She was hardworking and talented, with so many ideas and plans for future projects,” the Rhode Island School of Design said in a statement.