Fil-Am teen jumps to his death from NY high-rise hotel
Noel Legaspi jumped from the 21st floor of a hotel
A young Filipino American has been identified as the person who died after jumping 750 feet from the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York City last month.
Noah Legaspi, 17, an aspiring fashion designer from New Jersey, leaped to his death from the 21st floor of the hotel on Columbus Circle at around 9 p.m. on Aug. 17.
A security camera reportedly shows the teenager entering the building and taking a service elevator. Authorities confirmed his identity with his parents on Aug. 21.
Legaspi’s family told the New York Daily News that they dropped him off at his ex-girlfriend’s house on Aug. 17 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. They later reported him missing to the police.
Legaspi apparently contacted his ex-girlfriend from “a tall building” (the Mandarin Oriental), telling her, “Look at this pretty view” and “I love you,” Legaspi’s older brother, Luis, told the New York Post.
Although family members believe the teen was not able to handle the breakup with his girlfriend, they did not blame her, saying, nobody was at fault.
Family members described Legaspi as a talented tailor and bass player who was also dealing with mental health challenges.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center has comprehensive information on national organizations and US federal agencies working on suicide prevention.
