Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jean Stein dead: Author falls to her death from Manhattan penthouse

Author was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities

Roisin O'Connor
Tuesday 02 May 2017 10:08 BST
Comments
Author penned Edie: American Girl and West of Eden
Author penned Edie: American Girl and West of Eden (Random House)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Best-selling author Jean Stein has died after falling from the penthouse floor of a building in Manhattan.

Time reports that, according to authorities, Stein apparently took her own life by falling from the apartment on Sunday 30 April. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 83-year-old was known for her oral histories of Robert Kennedy, as well as Andy Warhol's muse Edie Sedgwick.

Her book Edie: American Girl, based on the life of Sedgwick, was a best-seller.

A former editor at the Paris review; her book West of Eden: An American Place, about Los Angeles and the American Dream, was published by Random House last year.

The publisher issued a statement saying it was "greatly saddened to hear the news" of her death. "Our condolences go out to her family," a spokesperson added.

The apartment at 10 Gracie Square on the Upper East Side was reportedly once home to heiress Gloria Vanderbilt - the Daily Mail claims that it is the same apartment where her son, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, jumped to his death from in 1988.

Stein is survived by her two daughters, Katrina vanden Heuvel, a magazine editor, and Wendy vanden Heuvel, an actress and producer.

If you or someone you know requires support you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in