NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The parents of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi say they hope the suicide of their son leads to people treating others with greater compassion.
Joe and Jane Clementi said in a written statement they wanted their son's death to "serve as a call for compassion, empathy and human dignity," ABC News reported Saturday.
"The outpouring of emotion and support from our friends, community and family -- and from people across the country -- has been humbling and deeply moving," the statement said. "We thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts."
Tyler Clementi, 18, jumped from the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River Sept. 22 after being secretly videoed in his dorm room in a romantic situation with another man. The two classmates who streamed the encounter on the Internet face charges of invasion of privacy, although their lawyers deny they were criminally responsible for Clementi's death, ABC News said.
Clementi's death rocked the Rutgers campus where a large temporary memorial has grown and a moment of silence will be held prior to Saturday's football game, ABC said.
