Friends Launch Fundraiser For Couple's Children After Parents Found Dead

MURRAY HILL, NY — Friends and colleagues of the husband and wife who killed themselves last week have launched a fundraising campaign for the couple's two children.

Dr. Glenn and Patricia Scarpelli are believed to have jumped from a Manhattan high-rise early Friday morning, according to the NYPD's initial investigation. NYPD's chief of detectives Robert Boyce said the couple was believed to have financial difficulties. Both were found with notes that cited money problems, he said.

"It appears to be financial difficulties clearly stated within both notes," Boyce said on Friday. "We still have to go further. He stated a 'financial crisis' and that seems to be the issue for the suicide."

The 53-year-old and 50-year-old were found by police outside of 29 East 33rd St. on Friday morning.

The couple had two children, aged 19 and 20, according to police. Friends and colleagues of the couple launched an online fundraising campaign for the children's education on Friday.

The New York Chiropractic Council, where Scarpelli was actively involved, shared a link to the fundraiser on its Facebook page.

The online fundraiser, launched through GoFundMe, had raised nearly $40,000 as of Monday afternoon .

"Glenn and Patricia were the embodiment of serving out of love, and giving out of abundance," organizers wrote on the fundraising page. "The New York Chiropractic Council, of which Dr. Scarpelli was a Past President and longtime volunteer, asks that you please honor their lives by supporting their children as they attempt to put their lives back together and finish college."

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

Lead image via Shutterstock.