The jumper who plunged to his death from the top of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel was identified as a 17-year-old aspiring fashion designer who had just gone through a breakup with his girlfriend, police sources and family told The Post Wednesday.
New Jersey teen Noah Legaspi took a taxi from his ex-girlfriend’s house to the ritzy Columbus Circle hotel and then FaceTimed the girl before he dropped 750 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene, older brother Luis Legaspi said in an interview.
“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,” the 28-year-old sibling told The Post.
“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,’” Luis Legaspi later added.
The girl, whom Noah began dating last spring, was “startled” and quickly called Legaspi’s mother.
She told the mother that the call came from a tall building, but she had no idea where Noah was, Luis Legaspi said.
From there, the family scoured their local area in Avenel but eventually reported him missing.
NYPD investigators knocked on the family’s door Monday night to confirm with loved ones that the incoming Colonia High School senior had taken the fatal plunge at Columbus Circle.
Before authorities broke the tragic news to the family, a Facebook page was started in hopes of finding him. It was converted to a remembrance page this week.
“We received word last night and are in the process of mourning,” the family said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “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.”
The scene outside the five-star hotel, which is part of the 55-story Deutsche Bank Center, was gruesome last Thursday.
The jumper’s body was split in half after he struck the glass awning, sources previously said.
An arm was found across the street, where construction scaffolding was seen dripping with blood.
It’s believed he took a service elevator to the roof, sources previously said.
Noah Legaspi struggled with mental health issues even though he excelled as a tailor, volleyball player and emerging bass guitar player, Luis Legaspi said.
He wanted to study fashion design, perhaps even in New York City, the brother said.
While he was a bright light in other people’s day, he “battled his own demons and insecurities,” the brother said.
“He always felt that he wasn’t deserving of love and attention and it really sucks because I don’t know where it came from,” Luis Legaspi said. “I know from our family he’s so loved.”
After friends stopped by to visit the family following the death, it was clear they all thought he was special, Luis Legaspi said.
“He was really a one-of-a-kind person,” Luis Legaspi said. “Whoever he was in contact with, he made their day.”
The former girlfriend initially found out about Noah’s death after a volleyball camp they were both involved with posted a tribute to the young man, Luis Legaspi said.
When she reached out to him and his older sister to ask if it was true, they went over to her home.
“I don’t want her to have the impression that we’re upset and we’re blaming her,” he said. “Both me and my sister comforted her, told her it was nobody’s fault. Don’t feel guilty.”
The young girl is an only child, so the surviving brother and sister told her if she ever needs people to talk to, she could call them.
“That’s how we are and that’s how Noah is, too,” Luis Legaspi said. “He would always try to make someone’s day before he made his own day, and that’s just the kind of character he is because he’s caring for people and thoughtful.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
