Peter DeSalvo has been identified as a Sacred Heart University freshman from Basking Ridge, NJ, who committed suicide.
The 19-year-old ended his life by jumping from the 150-foot Vessel structure located at the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project in Manhattan, New York City, New York.
According to several shocked witnesses and tourists who watched the sad incident unfold, DeSalvo, who was alone, walked to the sixth floor and jumped to his death.
The rugby player from Basking Ridge, New Jersey killed himself around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police have obtained at least one video of the tragic event that confirmed that DeSalvo “got on a railing and jumped off from the sixth floor, and he didn’t say anything to anybody.”
Many people close to DeSalvo have taken to social networking channels such as Facebook and Instagram to share prayers while others are speaking out to the media, and they all seem to agree that his action is baffling.
It appears that the teenager showed no sign of depression or other mental struggles.
DeSalvo’s former coach, Simon Perry, who is devasted by the shocking death, said this: “He was a tough kid, not afraid of anything. He is seemingly the most unlikely of cases for suicide.”
Perry, who is a football coach for Ridge High School, also opened up about DeSalvo’s parents, saying: “They are the nicest people, absolute sweethearts. He was their only child. He was so doing great in the school. He was playing rugby at Sacred Heart. I’m going to ask to have Pete’s jersey retired now.”
Perry added: “He was seemingly a very well-adjusted kid. He was a terrific lineman. Not flash, just got on with business. The whole community is in shock.”
Tourists, who were shocked by the news of the suicide, spoke to the media to criticize the lack of security around the vessel, which makes it easy for such an event to take place.
Brazilian tourist Suelen Jorge stated: “When you look at it, and you think about it, it is easy to jump off it.”
DeSalvo’s uncles stood outside of the family’s home and shared this brief comment on the matter: “The family asks for privacy right now.”
They said they had no additional details about what happened and did not provide a funeral date.
Sacred Heart will have a memorial for DeSalvo at SHU’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit at 12:30 p.m. on Monday.
The Chapel is open for prayers and counseling.
Photo Credit: Tom Ardiff
