Dezirae Andersen death: Family recalls model who fell from hotel roof after fight as 'sweet girl'
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MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Tyler Griffen, 24, is being prosecuted for allegedly pushing his infant daughter down a flight of stairs following a violent battle in Times Square that left his girlfriend dead. After a fight with his boyfriend, Dezirae Andersen, 20, an aspiring nurse, and a model, fell to her death from the roof of an OYO hotel in Times Square on Tuesday.
Griffin also faces charges of harassment, attempted assault, and acting in a manner injurious to his 8-month-old daughter, but he faces no charges concerning the fatal fall that killed Andersen. Daily News citing a video reported that as the fight intensified Griffen pushed their baby down a half-flight light of stairs but a guest in the hotel caught her to spare the little girl from any injury.
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Griffen struck his girlfriend numerous times
Griffen allegedly shoved his girlfriend through a door onto the roof before her fatal fall, and authorities discovered hair and an earring at the site after analyzing video of the assault, the outlet reported. The Colorado resident also acknowledged striking Andersen numerous times before the fatal fall and was recorded on film throwing her against a wall, according to the lawsuit. Andersen, 20, then plunged to her death from the roof, falling into scaffolding above the sidewalk on W 47th Street near Seventh Avenue at 10.30 pm.
Cops are still trying to determine if she jumped or accidentally fell during the wild clash. They have determined she was not pushed. The 8-month-old girl is reportedly now in the custody of Child Protective Services. Griffen is also accused of acting in a way that is injurious to a child.
'She was a very sweet girl, loving girl'
“She was a very sweet girl, loving girl, great-granddaughter,” Andersen’s grandmother Bobbie Andersen told the Daily News. “Hurts. Sad. Unbelievable. Still in shock.” Bobbie told the publication that the couple who are from Littleton, Colorado had come to New York for a visit to introduce the child to Griffen's family. After giving birth to the baby girl, Andersen started modeling soon after she simultaneously studied to become a registered nurse. She also had engagements about modeling lined up in New York for this weekend.
Griffen was released after being arraigned
Griffen was released after being arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday evening, with no charges bail eligible. Police told the outlet that before the fight escalated, the couple was smoking marijuana and eating edibles in their room in the hotel on the 10th floor.
On a GoFundMe page, her mother Cheryl Valenzuela wrote, "She was only 20 years old and died after a physical altercation with her boyfriend in New York. I need to bring her body home to have a proper burial for her. She leaves behind an 8-month-old baby girl who also needs to be brought home to Colorado from New York and I need to get to her asap. I am just at a loss and anything that anyone can contribute will be greatly appreciated."
