Westchester Woman Killed Falling Into Open Manhattan Manhole Is Now ID'd As Briarcliff Manor 56-Year-Old

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — The woman who stepped into a manhole and fell to her death late Monday night in Manhattan has been identified by authorities.

According to the NYPD, the 56-year-old woman, now identified as Donika Gocaj of Briarcliff Manor, had stepped out of a parked car at around 11:19 p.m. in front of 653 Fifth Ave., near East 52nd Street, when she fell into the open manhole.

She was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

"We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole," Con Edison said in a statement. "We are actively investigating how this occurred. Our thoughts are with the individual's family, and safety remains our top priority."