Australian diplomat plunges to his death while playing ‘trust game’ with friend on terrace of his NY home
Australian diplomat plunges to his death while playing ‘trust game’ with friend on terrace of his NY home, after dinner and drinks
Julian Simpson, landed on a second-story landing of the building about 1:35 a.m., Wednesday
Simpson, 30, had encouraged a family friend to play the “trust game” with him
Before the friend was set, Simpson stood on the ledge of the terrace and leaned back

Julian Simpson was attempting to play the game with his friend after dinner and drinks at this lower east side, Manhattan residence when he fell to his death
An Australian diplomat with the UN mission, fell to his death from his seventh-floor terrace in Manhattan, NY early Wednesday incident in which he leaned back hoping a friend would catch him.
Booze may have played a part in the tragic death of the young diplomat, police sources said.
Julian Simpson landed on a second-story landing at the building on Clinton St. near E. Houston St. about 1:35 a.m.
Julian Simpson[left],with wife Lauren Waugh
The 30-year-old Simpson, who served as the second secretary to the UN for Australia sources said, had encouraged his wife’s brother, James Waugh, to play the “trust game” with him.
But before the Waugh, 24, could fully react the diplomat stood on the ledge of the terrace and leaned back.
Simpson allegedly fell to his death after his brother-in-law who he hoped would catch him before falling over the ledge was unable to get to the diplomat after he lost his balance.
Waugh later told police he was able to grab the diplomat but that he slipped from his grasp and fell to his death.Authorities said the death appears to be accidental.
Simpson, his wife and friends had gone out for dinner and drinks and then returned to his apartment, where they had more drinks then went to the roof to look at the Empire State Building. The building was lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the passage of gay marriage legislation in Australia.
Simpson’s brother-in-law James Waugh, told police he held out his arm to catch the Australian diplomat, but lost his grip
While on the roof the diplomat grabbed the Waugh’s wife and took her to a higher landing and twirled her around.While on the roof the diplomat grabbed the friend’s wife and took her to a higher landing and twirled her around.
That episode of the ‘trust game’ led to the woman’s 24 year old husband confronting Simpson over his swinging. The two men then stepped back outside, with Simpson allegedly telling the husband that he meant no harm, that he wasn’t trying to hurt or scare her.
“I will prove that you can trust me,” he told the husband, according to police sources. “Let’s play the trust game.”
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