Man Jumps To Death From 54-Story NYC Building A Day After Filing For Divorce

A man plummeted to his death from the 54th floor of a building in Manhattan, New York City, on Wednesday. Reports said he was the founder of an investment firm.

The 46-year-old unidentified man was at Bar 54 at the Hyatt Centric Times Square New York when he killed himself Wednesday evening. At least two other people were present at the rooftop bar at the time.

Two bargoers told police they saw the man jump from the building. A woman called 911 after hearing a loud thud. The man had landed on the ground and was declared dead at the scene, NYPost reported.

The street was cordoned off with yellow police tapes and an investigation was initiated. Officers are treating the case as a suspected suicide, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Law enforcement sources told the outlet that the man was the founder of a Connecticut-based investment firm. Though his name was not revealed, officers said he previously had a run-in with the cops. Police were called to his home twice in 2008 after some domestic issues with his wife. One of the arguments was about finances, the sources added. The couple filed for a divorce in court Tuesday.

This was the second instance of a person jumping to death from Bar 54 in the past few months. Tom Blundell, general manager of Hyatt Centric Times Square, acknowledged the tragic incident and said immediate measures will be taken to curb future tragedies.

"We are working closely with local authorities. The safety and well-being of all our colleagues, hotel guests and Bar 54 guests remain a top priority, and at this time, as a result of this tragic incident, we will keep the door to the bar's outdoor space locked at all times," Blundell said in a statement. "We are truly heartbroken at the situation that occurred this evening outside our rooftop bar, and we are keeping the victim's family and friends in our thoughts and hearts."

Cases of suicide by jumping are much higher in New York than the national average, according to a WSJ report. It is "more common" in New York than in other places and usually, the method is chosen because of its accessibility, a study report showed. According to a report released by the state's health department in 2021, someone died from suicide every 16 hours in New York City.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.