A 64-year-old man died by suicide after jumping from the 20th floor of The Kimberly Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, NYC on Tuesday morning, July 16, 2024, police said. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., leaving guests and onlookers in shock as the luxury hotel became the scene of the tragedy.
The jumper was identified as J. Michael Cline, the wealthy co-founder of Fandango and a philanthropist active in tiger conservation, according to sources and authorities on Wednesday.
Cline, a serial entrepreneur and father of six residing in Greenwich, Connecticut, landed in a courtyard on the third floor of the boutique hotel at 145 East 50th Street near Lexington Avenue.
Cline, who was also a managing partner at the startup funding firm Accretive, left what seemed to be a suicide note before leaping from the building. The details of the note were not immediately available on Wednesday. His manner of death surprised those who knew him and occurred just a few days after he underwent gallbladder surgery, sources reported.
Despite Cline having severed his connection with Fandango long ago, the company faced difficulties, partly due to a decline in movie theater attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Allegedly, the firm attempted to shift towards streaming, but its parent company NBC-Universal’s revenues in the segment that includes Fandango reportedly dropped by 40.8% in 2020.
Cline possessed luxurious homes worth millions in the Hamptons and Palm Beach, Florida. Among them was an huge lakeside residence he purchased with his wife Pamela for $20.75 million in December 2020, as reported by the Palm Beach Daily News.
Emergency medical services workers pronounced Cline dead shortly after the fall. The New York Police Department arrived around 10:20 a.m.
The posh hotel, known for its 154 spacious luxury suites, private balconies, and antique furnishings, became an unexpected backdrop for this grim event. The hotel’s lobby, featuring a circular salt-water aquarium, usually welcomes guests with elegance but was instead the site of intense emergency response activity. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the hotel is a popular destination for travelers seeking a blend of modern amenities and classic charm. The suites, many with private balconies, offer a retreat from the bustling city below, a stark juxtaposition to the sorrow that permeated the air on Tuesday morning.
The incident stunned onlookers as police and medical examiners worked on the scene. One guest mentioned, “It’s just so tragic,” highlighting the unexpected nature of such an event in a place of luxury and comfort.
“I can’t believe this, how horrible,” another guest remarked upon learning of the incident, capturing the sentiment shared by many who witnessed the aftermath.
The body was transferred to the Chief Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The incident shines a spotlight on mental health issues and the importance of support for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. The Crisis Lifeline, reachable at 988, provides 24-hour assistance for anyone in need.
