A woman who fell to her death from the top of a Times Square hotel has been identified as a 20-year-old aspiring model from Colorado.
Dezirae Andersen, 20, was found dead after apparently jumping to her death at around 10.30pm on Tuesday, May 2, from the OYO Hotel on W 47th Street in midtown Manhattan.
Prior to her death, the mum from Littleton, Colorado, reportedly got into a heated fight with her boyfriend. New York Police Department (NYPD) had initially been called just before her fall to reports of an assault in progress.
According to police, Andersen's boyfriend, 24-year-old Tyler Griffin, also from Colorado, was physically assaulting Andersen during a loud argument while their eight-month-old daughter was in the room.
Griffin had reportedly left the room prior to Andersen's fall to her death. When police arrived they found him in the room where Andersen had been staying along with their child.
The room had reportedly been trashed, as though there had been some kind of fight.
Now, her mum, Cheryl Valenzuela, has launched a fundraiser for a funeral and memorial service for her "beautiful daughter". She said: "She was only 20 years old and died after a physical altercation with her boyfriend in New York.
"I need to bring her body home to have a proper burial for her. She leaves behind an 8-month-old baby girl who also needs to be brought home to Colorado from New York and I need t get her asap.
"I am just at a loss and anything that anyone can contribute will be greatly appreciated."
Social media posts show Andersen taking in the sights and experiences of the Big Apple just hours before her death. Social media and online profiles show her desire to make it as a model or actress.
On Backstage.com, a job-hunting platform for performers, she wrote: "I am looking to get started in this business as an actress, model, or even open to commercials and voiceovers.
"I would love to be given a chance and prove myself! I am a hard worker and a perfectionist! I am outgoing and happy!"
Her social media pages are filled with tributes and outpourings of love for the young mum, describing her as a "young beautiful soul" with a "bright personality".
Prior to her death, police sources have said Andersen and her boyfriend had gotten into a big fight, which turned physical, in their 10th floor hotel room. Griffin allegedly punched Andersen repeatedly before their fight spilled out into the hotel hallway.
Griffin then allegedly pulled the baby's arm forcefully, causing the child to fall down a flight of stairs, sources have said. Police believe Andersen made her way to the roof of the hotel before jumping to her death, sources have said. Police said Griffin had thrown the child, who was caught by someone in the hotel at the bottom of a staircase - the child was unharmed.
Griffin was acting erratically in the hotel's lobby when police arrived. He was arrested and police reportedly had to use a stunning device to subdue him.
He was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and acting in a manner injurious to a child, there are no reports that he has been charged in connection to Andersen's death. The pair's daughter has been taken into the custody of Child Protective Services while Griffin awaits arraignment.
