#homicide-charge

#homicide-charge

On Oct. 11, 2025 in the West Village, Dana Escoffier, an 80-year-old resident who lived on Hudson Street crossed paths with 82-year-old Dean Whetzel, who lived around the corner. They were neighbors for 50 years. According to news reports, Whetzel apparently bumped into him. Escoffier allegedly shoved him back, sending Whetzel to the pavement where he suffered a fractured skull. He never regained consciousness and died on Nov. 5, 2025. The city's medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.

The rumour began circulating in mid-December, mostly on Facebook. The main post, circulated by Jonathan Gregory, who has more than 80,000 followers, claims that Nick "had recently begun transitioning into a woman". The post goes on to wildly claim that his fictional transition was what led him to his attack his parents. There is no evidence to support the claim that Reiner is transitioning, and a closer look at the Facebook post shows there is no factual basis.