The teen who jumped to his death from the top of a glitzy Columbus Circle Hotel in Midtown New York City has been identified as an aspiring fashion designer from New Jersey who had just broken up with his girlfriend.
Noah Legaspi, 17, leapt from the roof of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Thursday night - plunging 750 feet in a fall that decapitated his body before hitting the busy street below.
Legaspi reportedly went through a breakup with his girlfriend the night of his death. After leaving her house, he took a cab to the Mandarin Hotel at Columbus Circle.
The teen, who reportedly struggled with his mental health, Facetimed his ex before leaping to his death, his family and police told the New York Post.
'They broke it off and he just was never good at handling his emotions so post-breakup I guess he just wasn't able to control his thoughts and feelings,' his older brother, Luis Legaspi, told the Post.
Noah Legaspi leapt from the roof of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Thursday night - plunging 750 feet in a fall that decapitated his body before hitting the busy New York City street below
Legaspi reportedly went through a breakup with his girlfriend the night of his death. After leaving her house, he took a cab to the Mandarin Hotel at Columbus Circle. His family said he struggled with mental health issues and had 'a lot of demons and insecurities that won'
'She received an eerie Facetime call from him from the top of the hotel looking over and they had a Facetime call and he said 'look at this pretty view' and 'I love you,' He added.
Legaspi's ex apparently got 'startled' by the call and reached out to Legaspi's mother, telling her the call came from a tall building but that she was unsure where, according to the Post.
The family reported Legaspi missing when they did not hear from him after dropping him off at his girlfriend's house in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
On Monday night, the NYPD identified the man entering the Deutsche Bank Center before his tragic death as Legaspi. He did not have any identification on him, which is why he was unidentified through the weekend, police said.
Investigators believe he entered the Deutsche Bank Center through a service elevator, exiting at the hotel tower’s 21st floor, according to NYPD.
Camera footage captured Legaspi entering the building.
'He is seen on video walking into the hotel, then takes the elevator to the top, makes his way to the roof and jumps from the roof,' said NYPD spokesman Lt. Thomas Antonetti.
His brother said Legaspi struggled with mental health.
'He had a lot of demons and insecurities, and that took over and won, unfortunately,' he told the New York Daily News on Wednesday.
'It is a mental health thing,' he added. 'Even though he had all that pain inside of him, he always managed to make someone smile.'
Legaspi was a rising senior at Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey, who aspired to become a fashion designer, according to his brother.
His brother said he did not seek therapy or take any medication for his mental health issues, according to the Daily News.
Legaspi's family released a statement that read:
'The Legaspi family would like to extend their gratitude for the significant amount of time and effort that was put into the search for Noah. We were blown away by the level of support received, and we are really grateful to everyone who contributed in any way.'
On Facebook, the family wrote: 'We, the Legaspi family, appreciate all the time and dedication that was put into finding Noah. The support was insurmountable and for that we are grateful.'
Legaspi was a rising senior at Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey, who aspired to become a fashion designer, according to his brother
One woman who lives in an apartment complex next door to the hotel said residents could hear the marquee smash from inside their living rooms
The Mandarin Oriental hotel lies on the top 19 floors of the 55-storey Deutsche Bank Center tower
Some witnesses said his arm was found next to blood-splattered scaffolding on the other side of the road
He did not have any identification on him, which is why he was unidentified through the weekend
A GoFundMe was started for Legaspi's family, that has received over 400 donations thus far, raising $19,355 of its $20K goal as of Wednesday night
'Call your loved ones, tell them you love them,' the family added. 'Hug them tight and never take life for granted.'
A GoFundMe was started for Legaspi's family, that has received over 400 donations thus far, raising $19,355 of its $20K goal as of Wednesday night.
'We have had the pleasure of knowing and growing up with our favorite guy, Noah. Noah was always someone who made everyone laugh and bring a smile to their face,' the GoFundMe read.
'We have started a GoFundMe page to help the Legaspi Family with the arrangements for services to honor and celebrate Noah. Any and all donations are welcome. Even a little goes a long way.'
'Thank you all for your support, kind words and prayers during these tough times.'
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWJ%2Bc4CScm9tb1%2BJsqa6jKOspqiVmXp4gY9mnZ6dpGKxpq3ToWSHkXOoeo6tzZ2Yq6GeYpyztcSnq5qkXX28tbHLZqCdnZ6ptqe1xJ1loaydoQ%3D%3D