A grandfather fell to his death from an open window during a robbery early Saturday morning, but a mystery remains as to how he ended up on scaffolding fixed to a Washington Heights apartment.
Jacinto Remigio's loved ones announced the death of the 73-year-old two days after he fell to his death in the aftermath of a home invasion in which three suspects tied up his 40-year-old son while walking his dog. I remember that he was a hardworking person. said a law enforcement official.
Officials say the robbers had already fled when he returned to his home, and one of the officers was on the scene before he fell through an open window to gain access to his sixth-floor apartment.
“I don't know why this happened,” said Remigio's son, Gary Remigio, who was in the house during the robbery. “We hope his soul is at peace and that we are all good, honest and hard-working people.”
Officials believe Remigio accidentally fell and hit the scaffolding after trying to close a window that the robbers had left open, officials said. Investigators believe he may have been intoxicated at the time of the fall.
During the home invasion, the three robbers, all men, stole about $8,000 worth of gold chains and about $200 in cash.
Jerry Remigio, who works as a registered nurse, declined to comment on the home invasion and tragic aftermath, noting that the police investigation is ongoing.
“I don't know why it happened. We are honest, hard-working people,” he said of the robbery. “I live a very simple and honest life, so I have no idea why this happened.”
He stressed that his father will be missed by his family and members of the community.
“He was a simple person, just going home and spending time with his family, being a grandfather, living a simple life,” he said. “There's not much to say. He was a well-known figure in the community and knew a lot of people.”
