Jennifer Rosoff was on a first date when she went to her balcony to smoke a cigarette but instead fell 17 stories to her death after a railing gave way.
The 35-year-old woman went to the balcony of her corner apartment in a building known as Stonehenge 57, located at First Avenue and 57th Street, at close to 1 am on Thursday. Rosoff was smoking a cigarette when her date warned that she probably shouldn’t lean on the railing.
But within seconds the man heard snapping noises as the railing gave way . Jennifer Rosoff fell backward off the building, landing on construction scaffolding on the first floor. Police responded but found Rosoff unconscious and declared her dead at the scene .
On Thursday the city’s Department of Buildings investigated the scene and examined other railings. It also posted an order for residents to stay off their balconies until all could be inspected.
Stonehenge 57 issued a statement about the incident, saying: “By now most of you have probably heard about the recent tragedy. Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Ms. Rosoff. We have reached out to the family to express these sentiments personally. We are cooperating fully with the investigation into the cause of this terrible accident.”
Rosoff was an ad executive in New York, working as director of sales at TripleLift on Fifth Avenue. The company’s CEO Eric Berry said employees were struggling on Thursday after learning of her death.
“She was a well-loved and highly respected member of our team,” Berry said. “The entire company is distraught by the loss of Ms. Rosoff — she will be deeply missed.”
Officers spoke to the man with Jennifer Rosoff when she died, but ruled that no foul play was involved and that alcohol was not a factor.
