An Albanian actor and his wife, who fell from the sixth floor of their New York apartment building, may have been fighting before the fatal fall.
Investigators are looking into the possibility of a dispute between the couple, a senior police source told the New York Post on Tuesday.
“There were signs around the apartment suggesting it wasn’t just Kumbaya as if they didn’t just decide to leave their kids behind and jump,” the source said.
Florind Belliu, 35, and Ornela Shehi, 28, were found in the courtyard of 2199 Cruger Avenue on Pelham Parkway South in the Morris Park section of the Bronx around 9:15 a.m. Saturday after falling from the sixth floor.
The disturbing video shows Shehi falling from the sixth floor of the building and landing in an alley. Seconds later her husband landed.
The police source told the Post that no suicide note was left.
The city’s Bureau of Medical Investigation has not determined the cause of death for either Belliu or Shehi as it awaits “additional investigative information.”
Investigators are looking into whether there was a fight between Bronx couple Florind Belliu, 35, and Ornela Shehi, 28, before they fell to their deaths on Saturday
Belliu, an aspiring actor and screenwriter, was reported “emotionally disturbed” and missing in April before police located him
Neighbors say they heard screams just before the couple fell, as investigators continue to investigate the fatal incident as a tragic outcome of a possible fight between the couple.
The couple moved into the building with their two young sons about four months ago, neighbors said, and authorities have never received reports of domestic violence, according to police sources.
Their young sons, aged 6 and 2, were in the apartment at the time and a neighbor recalled hearing a child yell, “Mom! Mummy!’ after the tragic fall.
Neighbors told local media that the pair were a “quiet couple” who “kept to themselves” but recalled seeing Belliu in an angry state on Friday.
“I saw them always buying things for the house, like every day together, with two kids together, we didn’t realize anything was wrong,” Shadie Perkaj, the caretaker’s wife, told the Daily News, adding In addition, this Saturday was Bellius’ birthday.
Belliu, who was an aspiring actor and screenwriter, graduated from the University of the Arts in Tirana, Albania, and performed in television and theater before moving to the United States, according to EuroNews Albania.
Bellius’ friend Elona Caslli mourned the loss on Facebook.
“What a pain you caused [kill yourself]?!’ Caslli wrote in Albanian. “A multiple tragedy for which there is no word of comfort. God give strength to your children and parents.’
Family members and friends mourned outside the Bronx home on Saturday. The New York Daily News reported that Bellius’ devastated mother collapsed and was seen sobbing in reaction to the news of her son’s death.
The video reportedly shows Shehi falling first from the sixth floor of the building and landing in the alley, followed by Belliu seconds later. They were pronounced dead at the scene
Police sources told the Post that Belliu had been reported “emotionally disturbed” and missing back in April before police located him.
Neighbor Robert Sanchez described Belliu as someone who didn’t have a friendly demeanor.
“If you walked beside him, he just didn’t have a friendly demeanor, so I just kept it moving,” Sanchez said. “They kept to themselves and were very isolated.”
An employee at Zymi, a nearby coffee shop, agreed.
“He was never in the right shape. He came in for a coffee or something to eat and didn’t interact with the other members of the community,” the clerk said. “The woman never really said anything. She was always quiet and isolated, but they always seemed to have the kids (with them).
Neighbors told local media that the pair were a “quiet couple” who “kept to themselves” but recalled seeing Belliu in an angry state on Friday. Her death is under investigation
Belliu graduated from the University of Arts in Tirana, Albania and performed in television and theater before moving to the United States, where he recently worked on two books and a screenplay for a film
Friends and family took to social media to mourn the couple’s loss and questioned why he allegedly threw himself out of the building
Friends and family took to social media to mourn the couple’s loss and questioned why he allegedly threw himself out of the building.
‘Why brother, why brother…did you choose this path? What was missing when you all held us in your arms and supported each other? What made you take a path with no beginning or end?’ Albanian actor Andi Llabuti posted.
“What do we say to that [your] Mother, when she sees us on the street, that we can’t protect you? Why didn’t you think a little about your family, your mother and your sisters? We all knew your skills and your values, but never this wisdom! You made us so sad that there is no explanation! May Allah have mercy on you!’
Albanian comedian Cela Irgen posted on Instagram that Belliu broke his heart.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this status for you,” he wrote in a Sunday post. “You are embedded in my thoughts and heart for all the beautiful memories we have together and the passion we shared for acting. May you both rest in peace my dear friend and may God give strength to both families at this difficult time.’