Man Charged With Providing Alcohol To Teen In Tragic Fall
NEW YORK (CBS 2/1010 WINS) -- Following the death of 17-year-old Nicole John, the daughter of Sophia John and Eric John -- the U.S. ambassador to Thailand since 2007 -- all signs seem to point to the tragedy being an accident.
John died Friday morning after falling several stories from a midtown Manhattan apartment building.
Ilan Nassimi, 25, who rents the apartment and is accused of providing alcohol to John, was arrested and arraigned at Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of contributing alcohol to a minor, police said.
Nassimi walked out of court Friday night sullen faced, wearing a black button down shirt and surrounded by family with nothing to say about John's death, CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
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Nicole John and her friends had apparently been partying at a club called Tenjune in the Meatpacking District before going to an apartment on the top floor of the 25-story Herald Towers at 34th and Broadway just before 4 a.m.
About 15 minutes later, the victim apparently took off her shoes and stepped out onto the ledge of the apartment before plummeting more than 20 stories to her death, police said. Her body was found on a third-story ledge with severe trauma.
Police said a camera was found near her body and believe she may fallen while trying to take a picture.
John's colorful blog expressed her interests in reading, partying and heights, Sanchez reported.
She appeared to have a passion for photography, which police believe may have lead her onto the apartment ledge.
Nassimi's attorney, Matin Emouna, offered condolences to the ambassador's family and called John's death "a tragic accident." Nassimi was released on his own recognizance. His case is scheduled to go before a grand jury on November 4.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the victim was carrying a fake ID from Brazil which listed her as 23-years-old. He added the apartment may have been cleaned up by the time investigators arrived.
John was an incoming freshman at the Parsons The New School for Design and lived in the East Village.
The medical examiner was scheduled to perform an autopsy and toxicology tests Saturday.
