A Lower East Side man put on a funeral suit to bury his beloved wife today — but in a moment of inconsolable grief hours before the service, jumped out his 12th-story window to his death.
The heartbreaking human drama occurred four hours before Miguel Melendez, 78, was supposed to say his final goodbye to his departed wife of 45 years, Dominga.
She died four days ago at age 76.
Alone in his 77 Columbia St. apartment, Melendez apparently opened his window around 9:45 a.m.
He then just leaped, police said.
“He was dressed for the funeral,” one witness said.
Authorities do not suspect foul play, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was going to be a tearful day for him.
Dominga’s funeral had been scheduled for 2 p.m. at the RG Ortiz Funeral Home on First Avenue.
“I guess he couldn’t handle it anymore,” said neighbor Hector Sanchez, 45, who added that he had known the Melendez family his entire life.
A spokesman for the funeral home said new arrangements are now being made for the couple.