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An Arrest at St. Patrick’s, a Struggle for Help, Then a Suicide An Arrest at St. Patrick’s, a Struggle for Help, Then a Suicide
(4 days later)
Three weeks after Marc Lamparello was released early from Rikers Island jail because of concerns over the coronavirus, he drove his parents’ van to the George Washington Bridge and tried to climb over an 11-foot fence intended to prevent suicides. The police stopped him.Three weeks after Marc Lamparello was released early from Rikers Island jail because of concerns over the coronavirus, he drove his parents’ van to the George Washington Bridge and tried to climb over an 11-foot fence intended to prevent suicides. The police stopped him.
A week later, Mr. Lamparello tried again. This time he jumped from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, killing himself exactly a year after he had made headlines for walking into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan with two gasoline cans, lighter fluid and lighters. Prosecutors said he had intended to burn the iconic church down.A week later, Mr. Lamparello tried again. This time he jumped from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, killing himself exactly a year after he had made headlines for walking into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan with two gasoline cans, lighter fluid and lighters. Prosecutors said he had intended to burn the iconic church down.
As a condition of his release, Mr. Lamparello, who had schizophrenia, was supposed to receive intensive psychiatric treatment at a hospital in New Jersey, where he lived. But he entered a mental health system that had been disrupted by the outbreak, leaving him without psychiatric help for a crucial month, according to his family and his lawyer.As a condition of his release, Mr. Lamparello, who had schizophrenia, was supposed to receive intensive psychiatric treatment at a hospital in New Jersey, where he lived. But he entered a mental health system that had been disrupted by the outbreak, leaving him without psychiatric help for a crucial month, according to his family and his lawyer.
Suicides are often hard to foresee or prevent, and motives are difficult to discern, even in hindsight. After his first attempt, Mr. Lamparello told his family he never intended to jump from the George Washington Bridge but wanted “to see the water and the breeze.” And in the days before his death, he said he was optimistic about his future.Suicides are often hard to foresee or prevent, and motives are difficult to discern, even in hindsight. After his first attempt, Mr. Lamparello told his family he never intended to jump from the George Washington Bridge but wanted “to see the water and the breeze.” And in the days before his death, he said he was optimistic about his future.
Still, Mr. Lamparello’s death seems to highlight the fraying nature of psychiatric care for some people with mental illness who are being released from city jails as part of an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.Still, Mr. Lamparello’s death seems to highlight the fraying nature of psychiatric care for some people with mental illness who are being released from city jails as part of an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
His sister and mother blamed his death on the chaotic delay in the start of his treatment — partly because of the pandemic. “He was failed,” Mr. Lamparello’s sister, Lee Nelms, said in an interview early last week. “My brother was a victim not only of his mental illness but also the mental health system.”His sister and mother blamed his death on the chaotic delay in the start of his treatment — partly because of the pandemic. “He was failed,” Mr. Lamparello’s sister, Lee Nelms, said in an interview early last week. “My brother was a victim not only of his mental illness but also the mental health system.”
Officials at the hospital, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, defended the care Mr. Lamparello received, without going into detail.Officials at the hospital, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, defended the care Mr. Lamparello received, without going into detail.
“The stress of something as significant as this pandemic will undoubtedly have far-reaching mental health impacts,” said Donnalee Corrieri, a spokeswoman for the hospital. “His interactions with our facility and the treatment we provided followed our protocols.”“The stress of something as significant as this pandemic will undoubtedly have far-reaching mental health impacts,” said Donnalee Corrieri, a spokeswoman for the hospital. “His interactions with our facility and the treatment we provided followed our protocols.”
On March 20, a judge ordered the release of Mr. Lamparello, 38, from Rikers Island as part of the city effort to curb the spread of the virus behind bars. He had been held at the jail complex for about three months after being treated at a psychiatric hospital for inmates in upstate New York, according to his lawyer, Chris DiLorenzo.On March 20, a judge ordered the release of Mr. Lamparello, 38, from Rikers Island as part of the city effort to curb the spread of the virus behind bars. He had been held at the jail complex for about three months after being treated at a psychiatric hospital for inmates in upstate New York, according to his lawyer, Chris DiLorenzo.
Prosecutors did not object. They had already agreed that Mr. Lamparello, whose case was handled by a special court for defendants with mental illness, could be released in April to start psychiatric treatment with the understanding he would plead guilty to attempted arson on May 1. The case would have been dismissed after he completed treatment.Prosecutors did not object. They had already agreed that Mr. Lamparello, whose case was handled by a special court for defendants with mental illness, could be released in April to start psychiatric treatment with the understanding he would plead guilty to attempted arson on May 1. The case would have been dismissed after he completed treatment.
But Mr. DiLorenzo asked that Mr. Lamparello be freed early because of the virus. The disease had killed 10 correction staff and three inmates in the city’s jails and had sickened hundreds.But Mr. DiLorenzo asked that Mr. Lamparello be freed early because of the virus. The disease had killed 10 correction staff and three inmates in the city’s jails and had sickened hundreds.
Six days after Mr. Lamparello’s release, his mother, Dolores Lamparello, took him from their home in Hasbrouck Heights to the hospital to start what was supposed to have been an intensive program — five days a week for six and a half hours each day.Six days after Mr. Lamparello’s release, his mother, Dolores Lamparello, took him from their home in Hasbrouck Heights to the hospital to start what was supposed to have been an intensive program — five days a week for six and a half hours each day.
But hospital staff told Mr. Lamparello that because he had come from Rikers Island, the hospital required that he isolate himself for a quarantine period. He was dropped from the program, his mother said.But hospital staff told Mr. Lamparello that because he had come from Rikers Island, the hospital required that he isolate himself for a quarantine period. He was dropped from the program, his mother said.
Two weeks later, Ms. Lamparello completed the paperwork to have her son reinstated into the program on April 9, but was told, again, he could not start, she said.Two weeks later, Ms. Lamparello completed the paperwork to have her son reinstated into the program on April 9, but was told, again, he could not start, she said.
“My son’s without any help — it’s three weeks,” Ms. Lamparello recalled“My son’s without any help — it’s three weeks,” Ms. Lamparello recalled
On Good Friday, Mr. Lamparello said he was going to take a walk, but instead he took the keys to his parents’ van, drove onto the George Washington Bridge and made his first attempt to jump, according to his family.On Good Friday, Mr. Lamparello said he was going to take a walk, but instead he took the keys to his parents’ van, drove onto the George Washington Bridge and made his first attempt to jump, according to his family.
Police in Fort Lee, N.J., stopped him and rushed him to the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center for psychiatric treatment. The hospital released him five days later, on April 15, after lowering the dosage of his antipsychotic medication, Ms. Lamparello said.Police in Fort Lee, N.J., stopped him and rushed him to the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center for psychiatric treatment. The hospital released him five days later, on April 15, after lowering the dosage of his antipsychotic medication, Ms. Lamparello said.
After he got home, he played songs on the piano, baked a cake and made chili. “He gave no indication he was depressed,” his mother said. He was scheduled to finally begin the outpatient program on April 20.After he got home, he played songs on the piano, baked a cake and made chili. “He gave no indication he was depressed,” his mother said. He was scheduled to finally begin the outpatient program on April 20.
He never made it. On April 17, he told his parents he was going out for a ride and to get a bagel with cream cheese. The police pulled Mr. Lamparello’s body from New York Harbor after he jumped from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge at about 2:30 p.m.He never made it. On April 17, he told his parents he was going out for a ride and to get a bagel with cream cheese. The police pulled Mr. Lamparello’s body from New York Harbor after he jumped from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge at about 2:30 p.m.
Ms. Lamparello said the hospital had erred in delaying the counseling sessions and deciding to release her son after his first attempted suicide. “They dropped the ball twice,” she said.Ms. Lamparello said the hospital had erred in delaying the counseling sessions and deciding to release her son after his first attempted suicide. “They dropped the ball twice,” she said.
The youngest of four siblings, Mr. Lamparello had grown up in an old colonial house in Hasbrouck Heights where he lived for much of his life. He excelled at music and found joy in reading and staying abreast of current affairs. He graduated from Boston College, obtained a masters from the University of Pennsylvania and spent a semester at Oxford University in England.The youngest of four siblings, Mr. Lamparello had grown up in an old colonial house in Hasbrouck Heights where he lived for much of his life. He excelled at music and found joy in reading and staying abreast of current affairs. He graduated from Boston College, obtained a masters from the University of Pennsylvania and spent a semester at Oxford University in England.
People close to him said he had always been an introvert and longed for more social connections. “I got the sense he was lonely,” said Joe Sasanuma, one of Mr. Lamparello’s only friends.People close to him said he had always been an introvert and longed for more social connections. “I got the sense he was lonely,” said Joe Sasanuma, one of Mr. Lamparello’s only friends.
Mr. Lamparello was initially treated in 2007 for depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, according to a report by his psychiatrist. As long as he took his medication, he was fine, his mother said.Mr. Lamparello was initially treated in 2007 for depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, according to a report by his psychiatrist. As long as he took his medication, he was fine, his mother said.
But a few years later, he began to have psychotic symptoms. In 2012, he stopped bathing and told his doctor that his brother was trying to murder him. He also said the “universe is trying to conspire against me in a metaphysical way to give me H.I.V.,” according to his health records.But a few years later, he began to have psychotic symptoms. In 2012, he stopped bathing and told his doctor that his brother was trying to murder him. He also said the “universe is trying to conspire against me in a metaphysical way to give me H.I.V.,” according to his health records.
Updated July 23, 2020 Updated July 27, 2020
By 2017, Mr. Lamparello was tremulous, unkempt and had trouble maintaining eye contact, his psychiatrist noted in a report. The doctor increased his medication.By 2017, Mr. Lamparello was tremulous, unkempt and had trouble maintaining eye contact, his psychiatrist noted in a report. The doctor increased his medication.
Yet he managed to write a book about philosophy, “Reason and Counterpoint,” which was published in 2016. He also got jobs as an adjunct professor of philosophy, teaching at Lehman College, a branch of the City University of New York in the Bronx, and Seton Hall University in New Jersey, starting in late 2017 or early 2018, his mother said.Yet he managed to write a book about philosophy, “Reason and Counterpoint,” which was published in 2016. He also got jobs as an adjunct professor of philosophy, teaching at Lehman College, a branch of the City University of New York in the Bronx, and Seton Hall University in New Jersey, starting in late 2017 or early 2018, his mother said.
He stopped seeing his psychiatrist in May 2018, records show. That October, he showed up at the Hasbrouck Heights police department and told officers he believed people from CUNY were trying to kill him for his political views. He also complained that helicopters were following him.He stopped seeing his psychiatrist in May 2018, records show. That October, he showed up at the Hasbrouck Heights police department and told officers he believed people from CUNY were trying to kill him for his political views. He also complained that helicopters were following him.
Three months later, Mr. Lamparello traveled to the White House and asked to see President Donald Trump, his mother said. He told Secret Service agents he wanted to encourage the president to give his State of the Union address in the House chamber, despite a threat by the House speaker to bar the speech while parts of the government were shut down. Days later, Secret Service agents showed up at Ms. Lamparello’s home and searched her son’s room.Three months later, Mr. Lamparello traveled to the White House and asked to see President Donald Trump, his mother said. He told Secret Service agents he wanted to encourage the president to give his State of the Union address in the House chamber, despite a threat by the House speaker to bar the speech while parts of the government were shut down. Days later, Secret Service agents showed up at Ms. Lamparello’s home and searched her son’s room.
After that incident, Ms. Lamparello begged him to take his medication, but he refused. He had also dropped his psychiatrist in December 2018, records show. When he finally returned to treatment in March, he was given a diagnosis of schizophrenia.After that incident, Ms. Lamparello begged him to take his medication, but he refused. He had also dropped his psychiatrist in December 2018, records show. When he finally returned to treatment in March, he was given a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Over the next few weeks, his mother said he began to read the Bible more. On April 15, 2019, he was arrested after he refused to leave Newark’s Sacred Heart Cathedral after closing. “I know all the sins the priests have committed,” he told the officers. “If you want me to leave tonight, you are going to have to handcuff me and arrest me and take me to jail.”Over the next few weeks, his mother said he began to read the Bible more. On April 15, 2019, he was arrested after he refused to leave Newark’s Sacred Heart Cathedral after closing. “I know all the sins the priests have committed,” he told the officers. “If you want me to leave tonight, you are going to have to handcuff me and arrest me and take me to jail.”
Ms. Lamparello again pleaded with her son to take his medication, to no avail. “I sensed there wasn’t anything I could say to get through to him,” she said. “That was not my son. It was like something had taken possession of his body.”Ms. Lamparello again pleaded with her son to take his medication, to no avail. “I sensed there wasn’t anything I could say to get through to him,” she said. “That was not my son. It was like something had taken possession of his body.”
Two days later, Mr. Lamparello canceled his classes for the day. He bought a gold cross with a chain at a religious store, according to court documents. Then he took a three-mile walk in a park, purchased a one-way, $2,800 plane ticket to Rome for the next day and had lunch at the Saddlebrook Diner.Two days later, Mr. Lamparello canceled his classes for the day. He bought a gold cross with a chain at a religious store, according to court documents. Then he took a three-mile walk in a park, purchased a one-way, $2,800 plane ticket to Rome for the next day and had lunch at the Saddlebrook Diner.
Later that day, he drove to New York City, parked his van near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and walked into the sanctuary with two cans of gasoline and lighter fluid. Ushers stopped him, and he said he was trying to take a shortcut through the cathedral to reach his van, which he said was out of gas.Later that day, he drove to New York City, parked his van near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and walked into the sanctuary with two cans of gasoline and lighter fluid. Ushers stopped him, and he said he was trying to take a shortcut through the cathedral to reach his van, which he said was out of gas.
Police officers questioned him as he left the cathedral and, discovering his van had gas, arrested him on charges of attempted arson and reckless endangerment.Police officers questioned him as he left the cathedral and, discovering his van had gas, arrested him on charges of attempted arson and reckless endangerment.
At home, his mother watched a report on the evening news about an incident at St. Patrick’s. Her doorbell rang: It was New York City detectives.At home, his mother watched a report on the evening news about an incident at St. Patrick’s. Her doorbell rang: It was New York City detectives.
“Then, the nightmare began,” Ms. Lamparello said.“Then, the nightmare began,” Ms. Lamparello said.