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Edgar Ortega was charged with manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend, Sheila Cordell. Ortega, a DJ at Suede, and Cordell, a stripper/part-time real state student, were fighting the other night when she fell from their four story apartment.
Prosecutors charged Tuesday that Ortega told a police detective that Cordell fell out of the fourth-floor window of her apartment after he pushed her during an argument. The detective also spoke with a witness from a neighboring building who said Cordell cried out words to the effect of "No, no, no, don't do it," as her head was pressed against the partially open window before her plunge. [Via WNBC]
However, Ortega's lawyer claims that Cordell was high on coke when she stepped out onto the ledge, plus says the confession Ortega made was coerced.
Previous Gothamist coverage of Sheila Cordell's death and other NY crimes.
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It is truly a tragedy when someone dies in an accident such as this one. I can't begin to understand the pain and sorrow that goes along with losing a child and sibling in such horrible manner. My prayers have been with Sheila's family and his family also. My dearest sympathies do go out to Sheila's family.
Everyone is quick to blame the boyfriend. No one but Sheila and him were in that apartment that day. Everyone is quick to point a finger and blame him. How do we know what happened that morning? Why is everyone quick to put the blame on someone without having facts. I am sorry for what her family is going through and this shouldn't of happened but come on lets not be so quick to persecute someone without knowing what really happened. The media of course is quick to make them both look like horrible people. But, in true actuallity they were both loved by many people.
I didn't know Sheila personally but, I did hear how nice she was, I do know him. I have know him for a good 12 years and he is not the type of person that the media is making him out to be. I have never in the 12 years that I've know him have ever seen him angry to the point where he became violent. EVER!!!!
I don't know exactly what happened that day but, I do know that they both were together for some reason. She stood with him for a reason and vice versa. If she was also afraid of him I'm sure she would had left along time ago. They were together for a little over than 8 months. She knew he wasn't a bad person.
I can only end this with saying it should all be left in our Lords hand. He is the only one that could judge.
Sheila may you rest in peace.
Sheila Cordell loved life and lived it to the fullest every day. She was always the life of the party and the group coordinator for a fun night out bowling or club hopping. It is a shame, she is not here to tell her side of the story from May 25, 2003. Those who new her best can only speculate as they replay the days, hours, and minutes leading up to her death.
Sheila was a fighter. Occasionally, like anybody, she had a down day. However, she would always find a way to twist whatever she was going through and turn it into possitive energy. She always had a plan or an idea for "making it", in this demanding, not so forgiving, world we live in.
The night Sheila's life went out that Manhattan window, I can only imagine how my sister, the fighter, faught for her life. Unfortunately, this fight, she would lose, two days later in St. Vincent's Hospital.
I always was the quiet one in the family. I used to watch my sister get all the attention. I was envious of the light and energy she so effortlessly exuded. In any situation, Sheila was the center of attention. People would listen when she spoke; even if it didn't make sense. She could sell anyone on any idea. If she didn't have them sold, she would definately have them charmed and in her back pocket. My sister had many people on her "bandwagon"; she was a great leader.
The night of my family's tragic loss, I wish Sheila could have been more like me. I would have been able to calmly react to Edgar's mounting insecurities. The violent situation needed defused. Sadly, that is not what happened.
Not everyone is able to recognize when their life is in danger. It is clear to me, my sister did not recognize, Edgar was at his breaking point.
We will never know if things would have went differently that night, if Sheila would be here today or not. All we can do now is recognize the tragedy that has happened and learn from it. The lesson to be learned is, recognize domestic violence and educate yourself and others on how to report and handle it.
If my sister would've received counsiling and support when she had a black eye, three weeks before she died, maybe she would still be here today. I wish I would have called her to say I'm sorry for what happened, you're always welcome to stay with me. I wish I would have called Edgar, to offer him some other way to handle his frustrations. Now, I will never know if my efforts would have made a difference. Now, I will never have another chance at anything with Sheila Cordell. Now, I occasionally have her in my dreams, if I'm lucky...
Sheila, if you are watching, I love you deeply...and miss you more every day.
Lisa
it is unfortunate what happend to sheila Cordell. My condolences go out to her family. I know how much they must be suffering. .but Edgar's family is suffering as well. I am suffering as well. Edgar Ortega was and is NOT a violent person. He is NOT a murderer. No one really knows what happened that night so it's not right to assume that it was his fault. Sheila had her issues too. All I could say is Edgar Ortega is an innocent man and don't worry. . although it's taking awhile. . justice will be served and He WILL BE LET GO!!!! trust me on that one. and when that day comes when the courts find him innocent. . I WILL RUBB IT IN ALL THOSE PEOPLE'S FACES who doubted what typ of person Edgar Ortega was and u better believe that. It is sad what happen and I could only imagine what Sheila's family was and maybe still is going through but no one has a right to talk shit about edgar ortega. NO ONE!!!
I have a son with Edgar and can say through experience he doesn't have a violent bone in his body. What happened was a terrible thing, and I feel for Sheila's family. I know Edgar and his family are suffering also and my son will never know his dad.
I personally knew Edgar and Sheila for approx. 9 mths before her death. Sheila was an incredible person - always giving of herself and never asking for anything in return. Unfortunately, Sheila always put the needs of other people before herself - that is the kind of person she was.
I have personally seen Edgar physically and mentally abuse Sheila on numerous occasions. Try as hard as I could, I could not get Sheila to leave and that is something I will live with for the rest of my life. The Lord is the ultimate judge; however, until that time comes, I can only hope that Edgar suffers at the hands of those terrible people in that terrible place where he currently resides for the rest of the time he is on this Earth.