A former Playboy centrefold model and her young son died on the morning of Friday 18 May, after the two of them jumped out of a window on the 25th floor of a Manhattan hotel. Stephanie Adams and her seven-year-old son, Vincent Adams, apparently checked into the Gotham Hotel on the evening of Thursday 17. The next day, the pair leapt to their deaths and fell 23 storeys. Their bodies were discovered on a second-floor balcony at around 8.15 am in the rear courtyard of the hotel.
Adams was a model, author and beautician, who had starred as Playboy magazine's 'Miss November' centrefold model back in 1992, and appeared again in the magazine in 2003. The 47-year-old had an extensive and successful career, having written more than 25 self-help books and run an online beauty products company. She'd also worked with Elite Model Management and held two business degrees.
At a press conference regarding the suicide, NYPD Chief of Manhattan Detectives William Aubrey stated: "Early this morning investigators located an individual whose attention was drawn to that same second-floor area when he heard two loud noises. His attention was drawn to that and he discovered these two deceased individuals."
Adams, who hailed from New Jersey, first began modelling at the age of 16. Inspired by her two aunts, who were both also former models, Adams soon appeared in adverts for products such as Clairol and Venus Swimwear, and made an appearance in Seventeen magazine. Later in her career, Adams also appeared on the cover of Village Voice, before making a cameo appearance in 2003 on the Late Show with David Letterman to mark the 50th anniversary of Playboy magazine. Later on, she launched her own personal skincare product line called Goddessy, and wrote books on a range of subjects, such as metaphysics, calendars and tarot cards.
Adams was apparently embroiled in a custody battle with her ex-husband, Vincent's father, chiropractor Charles Nicolai, and Nicolai's lawyer had recently demanded that she hand over Vincent's passport, which had ruined Adams' plans to visit Europe with her son. The couple's separation had apparently been a contentious one. Adams would apparently insist upon meeting Nicolai at the First Precinct in Tribeca for handovers when he was due to visit Vincent, because the situation had turned violent during past handovers.
If you, or anyone else you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts, then please don't hesitate to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or the National Suicide Hotline on 1-800-273-8255.