Police: Couple who jumped from George Washington Bridge had killed woman's uncle

SUFFERN, N.Y., April 30 (UPI) -- A couple who jumped from the George Washington Bridge had stolen from the woman's uncle and then killed him, police in Suffern, N.Y., said Wednesday.

Police Chief Clarke Osborn said Gary W. Crockett, 41, and Nickie Circelli killed Vincent Valenti, 70, shortly before they took their own lives Monday. Crockett and Circelli jumped from the upper level of the bridge at about noon and were pronounced dead at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City after being pulled from the Hudson River.

"Mr. Valenti had uncovered the fact that they took money and forged checks from him," Osborn told the Journal News. "They promised to pay him back and didn't. We're told he planned to go to the police department to make a report. Shortly thereafter, we believe they killed him sometime on Monday."

Police Detective Craig Long said at a news conference that the couple, who lived with Valenti, had taken about $1,600. Valenti owned Thunderbird Catering, a food truck company based in Suffern, a small suburban village about 25 miles northwest of New York City.

Circelli had three girls and a boy who were not living with her, Long said. She left several notes addressed to them, apologizing to them but not admitting she had killed Valenti.

Long quoted the beginning of one note: "To the 4 most amazing kids this world has ever seen or ever will." He said Circelli concluded: "I love you. Love, Mom."