New York couple jump to their deaths after struggling with mounting debts
Glenn Scarpelli and his wife Patricia were found with notes in their pockets
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.A New York couple who were unable to pay back thousands of dollars in tax leapt to their deaths from the ninth floor of a Madison Avenue building where they worked.
Chiropractor Glenn Scarpelli and his wife Patricia left notes saying that they could not live with their “financial reality”, police sources told The New York Post.
Before they jumped they left rubbish bags with their belongings in.
Javier Guzman, a shoe repairman told the Mail Online that he saw the couple lying in the road. “I didn’t recognise them but they looked young, in their forties”, he said.
Their notes wrapped in plastic bags were found in each of their pockets. Entitled “We had a wonderful life”, Scarpelli wrote about his “financial spiral”.
Public records show that Mr Scarpelli, 53, owed around $213,000 (£162,000) to the federal government and almost $42,000 (£32,000) to the state in unpaid taxes dating back to 2003.
In 2013, the federal government had pursued legal action against Mr Scarpelli for not paying back a $60,000 loan taken out in 2000. He was studying at the Logan College of Chiropractic in St Louis, Missouri. In 2008 he was a vice-president of its alumni association.
“I just don’t understand why this would happen, why they would do this to their kids,” Adam Lamb, a fellow chiropractor and long-time friend told the Post.
“Even with all that debt, it still doesn’t make sense,’’ he added.
The couple lived with their children, Isabella, 20, and Joseph, 19, in the financial district, close to Wall Street.
Ms Colant’s note instructed that their children be informed about their deaths, according to a law-enforcement spokesperson.
A friend of their daughter, Isabella said: “Their kids didn’t know anything about their financial problems. None of us did. He seemed like he loved his job.”
Robert Boyce, NYPD chief of detectives said the cause of their money worries was not clear. “Don’t know right now,” he said. “We still have to go further.”
The top cause of financial stress for New Yorkers is paying debt, according to a GOBankingRates study in 2016. Saving money is a struggle, with 69 per cent of Americans having less than $1,000 dollars put by for emergencies.
For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, visit a local Samaritans branch or visit their website. The US number is 1-800-273-8225
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments