Homicide Investigation Launched After 82-Year-Old Lower Manhattan Man's Fatal Assault
A shocking turn of events unfolded in the West Village last fall when an 82-year-old man was brutally assaulted and left for dead on the sidewalk. Dean Conover Whetzel, a lifelong resident of Lower Manhattan, suffered severe injuries after being pushed to the ground outside a local café on Hudson Street.
Responding officers found Whetzel unconscious with a swollen right eye and laceration to the back of his head. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition, where he remained for several weeks before succumbing to his injuries on November 5th.
The NYPD has since arrested and charged 79-year-old Dana Escoffier with assault and a weapons offense in connection with Whetzel's death. According to officials, the two men were complete strangers who lived just around the corner from each other near the intersection where the alleged assault occurred.
Prosecutors claim that Escoffier pushed Whetzel because the older man had bumped into him, but a witness later identified him to police after following Escoffier. The NYPD is still investigating the incident, and Escoffier's lawyer has yet to comment on the charges.
The tragic incident marks one of several high-profile cases in the Sixth Precinct this year, which has seen two homicides reported through November 30 - a stark contrast to the same period last year, when no homicides were recorded. As the investigation continues, officials have vowed to provide updates on Escoffier's case in court.
In a sobering reminder of the violence that can strike even the most unlikely corners of our city, Whetzel's family and loved ones are left to grapple with the loss of their cherished relative, whose life was brutally cut short in an instant.
A shocking turn of events unfolded in the West Village last fall when an 82-year-old man was brutally assaulted and left for dead on the sidewalk. Dean Conover Whetzel, a lifelong resident of Lower Manhattan, suffered severe injuries after being pushed to the ground outside a local café on Hudson Street.
Responding officers found Whetzel unconscious with a swollen right eye and laceration to the back of his head. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition, where he remained for several weeks before succumbing to his injuries on November 5th.
The NYPD has since arrested and charged 79-year-old Dana Escoffier with assault and a weapons offense in connection with Whetzel's death. According to officials, the two men were complete strangers who lived just around the corner from each other near the intersection where the alleged assault occurred.
Prosecutors claim that Escoffier pushed Whetzel because the older man had bumped into him, but a witness later identified him to police after following Escoffier. The NYPD is still investigating the incident, and Escoffier's lawyer has yet to comment on the charges.
The tragic incident marks one of several high-profile cases in the Sixth Precinct this year, which has seen two homicides reported through November 30 - a stark contrast to the same period last year, when no homicides were recorded. As the investigation continues, officials have vowed to provide updates on Escoffier's case in court.
In a sobering reminder of the violence that can strike even the most unlikely corners of our city, Whetzel's family and loved ones are left to grapple with the loss of their cherished relative, whose life was brutally cut short in an instant.
. You'd think that as people get older they become wiser and more gentle, but I guess you never really know what's gonna happen behind closed doors. I mean, who pushes someone down just 'cause they bumped into ya? 
That's just crazy talk. The fact that it happened in a neighborhood like Lower Manhattan where everyone's supposed to get along is just the icing on the cake... or should I say, the knife in the back 
. Anyway, my heart goes out to Dean Whetzel's family and loved ones - they're gonna miss him big time 
.
The fact that they lived just a block away from each other makes it even more shocking. What was going through Dana Escoffier's mind that led him to commit such a heinous act? 
My heart goes out to Dean Whetzel's family and loved ones, may they find some peace in the coming days 
Can you believe this? An 82-year-old grandpa gets pushed to the ground by some crazy dude who had a run-in over bumping into each other 
and now his family has to deal with the aftermath 
And another thing, if you're gonna assault someone, at least have the decency to get a new pair of walking shoes so you don't leave a trail of evidence behind 
. The NYPD is doing its job, but let's be real, 79 years old and still living in Lower Manhattan is just crazy 
.
. I'm sure Dean Whetzel's family is still dealing with the trauma of losing him, rest in peace 
A guy gets pushed by a stranger and almost dies, then the other dude gets charged with assault... I don't get it. Where's the motive? Was there any witnesses who saw anything else go down? 
I need more info before I can even begin to wrap my head around this case. Can we get an update on the investigation ASAP? 
But what about Whetzel's family? They're going through this trauma and grief after losing their loved one in such a senseless way. It's just heartbreaking 
.
. Fingers crossed Escoffier gets what's coming to him and the police can bring some closure to Whetzel's family soon 
.
. I mean, what's wrong with people these days? An 82-year-old man gets pushed on the sidewalk and almost dies... it's just crazy 
. I mean, if you're going to do something like that, at least have the decency to apologize and not try to cover it up.
. My heart goes out to Whetzel's family, it's just so senseless 
. I was just reading about this news and I'm still feeling all the emotions... I wish they'd release more info on Escoffier's background tho, I feel like that might be some kinda motive 
what's up with that?
and it's not like they were even from different worlds or anything. the fact that the witness came forward to help identify escoffier is really admirable 
but still, it's just so sad about dean... his family must be going through hell 
WHAT WAS DANA ESCOFFIER THINKING?!?! AND THE NYPD IS STILL INVESTIGATING AND WAITING FOR HIS LAWYER TO MAKE A MOVE... GRRR 
. My heart goes out to Dean Whetzel's family, that's just devastating 
.
it's crazy that something like this can happen to anyone, especially to someone as sweet as him 
but I guess you never know what people are going through behind closed doors 
. I feel bad for Whetzel's family - they're just going through so much grief right now 
. Anyway, fingers crossed the justice system gets to work and we get some closure on this one 
. The police are probably gonna get him with some shady evidence too 
, it's all just a big case of being a scapegoat for something way more complicated than we'll ever know