Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rutgers Student's Facebook Status: "Jumping off the gw bridge"
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 29, 2010
Modified Sep 29, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 29, 2010
Modified Sep 29, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Authorities have released the identity of the 18-year-old victim of a sick internet broadcast as Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, a talented violinist. Two other freshmen, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, have been accused of invasion of privacy for broadcasting a hidden-camera video of Clementi during a sexual encounter on the Internet, which allegedly led to Clementi's suicide last week. He reportedly wrote on his Facebook page on September 22nd, "Jumping off the gw bridge sorry." His family released this statement:
Tyler was a fine young man, and a distinguished musician. The family is heartbroken beyond words. They respectfully request that they be given time to grieve their great loss and that their privacy at this painful time be respected by all. The family and their representatives are cooperating fully with the ongoing criminal investigations of two Rutgers University students.
Yearbook photos of suspects Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei
called the alleged spying "extremely obscene," while another said, "I mean we all live in such close conditions with each other, it’s like breach of privacy…I think it’s gross." According to Ravi's Twitter account, which has since been deleted, Clementi asked Ravi to have the room to himself on the night of September 19th. Ravi then set up his webcam and went to Wei's room, where he watched the feed and saw Clementi "making out with a dude." Student Tiwa Adediji said, “It's my dorm. It's my private space. I expect...my privacy to be respected and to be able to do whatever I want. There should be no one there invading my privacy."
Police have not yet found a body in connection with Clementi's suicide, but Ridgewood high school (Clementi's alma mater) principal John A. Lorenz told parents, "We have been informed by a family spokesperson that Tyler Clementi, Class of 2010, has been reported missing. We remain in contact with the family and law enforcement agencies and will keep you informed as we receive updates." Clementi's RA, Daryl Chan, said, "His roommate was a very tech-savvy-type dude. He set up cameras all over the room and didn't tell him. A lot of the RAs are troubled by it."
Tagged
dharun ravi
invasion of privacy
molly wei
rutgers university
suicide
tyler clementi
voyeurism
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 12:43 p.m. ET
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
A 26-year-old died after being shot on the platform at the Midtown station. Commuters are rattled.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
A 26-year-old died after being shot on the platform at the Midtown station. Commuters are rattled.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .