On Tuesday morning, December 26, 2023, a 56-year-old real estate broker, Thomas “Tom” Cooper, is believed to have jumped to his death from a luxury building in New York City.
This tragic incident occurred at a four-story building situated on East 67th Street, a highly sought-after location close to the luxury shops of Madison Avenue.
The building’s superintendent, Renato Cera, identified Cooper, who was both a resident and a real estate broker at the Douglas Elliman agency.
The police report indicates that Cooper left a suicide note before jumping from the top floor of the building at 18 East 67th Street at approximately 7:19 a.m. He was found on the sidewalk and urgently taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center where he was declared dead.
Cera, who expressed his grief, described Cooper as a pleasant individual who often engaged in friendly chats with him. Cooper resided alone and, as per Cera’s observations, did not have family members visiting him. His last interaction with Cooper was roughly two weeks ago, during which Cooper seemed cheerful, discussing building maintenance in a light-hearted manner.
Cooper had recently undergone stomach surgery in the summer, though the specifics of the surgery were not disclosed. According to Cera, Cooper had been a resident of the building for at least as long as Cera had been the superintendent, which was over a year.
Cooper’s last social media post on Instagram showed him smiling next to a large Christmas tree in the lobby of The Police Building at 240 Center Street.
Vincent Scaldaferri, who oversees a neighboring building, initially thought the falling figure was a sack of laundry. He vividly described the gruesome scene upon the body’s impact, noting the severe injuries and convulsions. Scaldaferri, deeply affected by what he witnessed, decided not to work that day, citing the incident’s emotional impact.
The building from which Cooper fell, constructed in 1905, is known for its exclusive residences, including a three-bedroom apartment that was rented for $9,000 a month last year.
