Story highlights Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam's body pulled from Hudson River

She was first African-American woman on New York state's highest court

(CNN) Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam's life was one of personal achievement: She was the first African-American woman to serve on New York state's highest court. She was a trailblazer and "humble pioneer," according to those who knew her.

But it was also a life marked by personal tragedy. Her brother committed suicide three years ago around this time of year, two law enforcement sources told CNN on Thursday. Abdus-Salaam, 65, had also been stressed recently at work, the sources said.

Her body was found Wednesday afternoon in the Hudson River. Abdus-Salaam's death is not considered suspicious, and the investigation points to a possible suicide, the law enforcement sources said.

Detectives did not find a suicide note.

"Obviously, we're still waiting for the full investigation, but to the extent that the challenges and the stresses in her life contributed to this, it's a reminder that even the most accomplished people still deal with extraordinary challenges inward, and we don't get to see that," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters Thursday.

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