Elizabeth Gaglewski appeared 'happy' just hours before plunging to death from Times Square hotel rooftop
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MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A model hugged her mother goodbye and appeared to be “happy” just three hours before plunging to death from the 54th floor of a rooftop bar of the Hyatt Centric Times Square Hotel.
The woman was identified as 26-year-old Elizabeth Gaglewski from Queens. She had made a reservation at the bar of the Hyatt Centric downtown and ordered a drink before allegedly climbing the rooftop barrier as horrified staff tried to stop her.
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Woman, 26, leaps to death from 54th-floor Times Square rooftop bar and lands on 27th floor balcony
The "cute and kind" girl landed on a balcony on the 27th floor on Wednesday, October 12, and police are now investigating whether she jumped willingly or if her death was an accident. Friends claimed that Elizabeth seemed "happy" before leaving the family home in Queens, despite the fact that she had previously "struggled with depression."
Three hours before going to the bar, she had spoken with her mother, Hope, and her family claimed that they had "no idea" something was wrong. Neighbor Sony Beauville said, "She is a friend of my family. Her mother told me before she left that she hugged her and that they were talking." She told her she looked fine and everything sounded to be alright. No one worried about her or thought anything was wrong. Her boyfriend, David, called her "the most beautiful person that ever lived." "The system has let them down. She needed help and didn’t get it," he told Dailymail.
Elizabeth's cousin, Raymond Johannes Kraft, set up a GoFundMe for $15,000 for her burial charges. "My cousin, Elizabeth Hope Gaglewski has tragically passed away. Her untimely death has come as a shock to all that loved and supported her throughout her 26 years. Elizabeth, was an aspiring model and was adored by all that crossed her path. Her mother, a disabled widow is currently unable to afford funeral expenses. Her father, unfortunately passed away in the pandemic. We are reaching out to any one who will listen, to please donate any amount that you can to assist this grieving mother in this time of need," he said. They have managed to collect $4,820 so far.
Elizabeth died on Wednesday when she jumped from the rooftop. The bar staff in the Hyatt said that they tried in vain to grab Gaglewski before she fell 27 stories and landed on a ledge of the skyscraper hotel. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Gaglewski was seen making a phone call before climbing onto a furniture piece and jumping over the side of the patio.