Gigi Jordan was a wealthy pharmaceutical executive who made headlines in 2010 when she was convicted of killing her 8-year-old autistic son, Jude Mirra, in a luxury hotel room in Manhattan. She claimed she did it to protect him from his abusive father, who she feared would murder him and inherit his trust fund. She also attempted to kill herself by overdosing on pills, but survived.
Last week, Jordan was found dead in her home in Brooklyn, New York. According to TooFab, the cause of death was suicide by asphyxiation. The Chief Medical Examiner in NYC said the cause of death was “Asphyxia by covering of head with plastic bag and displacement of oxygen by nitrogen gas”.
How did Gigi Jordan kill her son?
Jordan admitted she killed her autistic son, Jude Mirra, with pills. She said she crushed up a cocktail of prescription drugs and forced him to swallow them using a syringe. She then lay down next to him on a bed and waited for him to die. She also took some of the pills herself, hoping to end her own life.
During a six-week trial, the mom’s defense argued she killed the boy because she feared her ex-husband, Emil Tzekov, was about to murder him. She said Tzekov was a member of a Bulgarian crime syndicate and wanted to get his hands on Jude’s $125 million trust fund, which Jordan had set up for him. She also claimed Tzekov had sexually abused Jude and threatened to torture him.
However, the prosecution disputed her claims and said there was no evidence of Tzekov’s involvement in any criminal activity or abuse. They said Jordan was suffering from a mental disorder that made her paranoid and delusional. They also said she was angry and resentful of Jude’s autism, which prevented him from having a normal life.
Jordan was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in prison. She appealed her conviction and was released on bail in 2018, pending a retrial. She maintained her innocence and said she loved her son more than anything.
Who was Jude Mirra?
Jude Mirra was the son of Gigi Jordan and Raymond Mirra Jr., a biotech entrepreneur. He was born in 2001 and diagnosed with autism at an early age. He had difficulty communicating and socializing with others, and required constant care and attention.
Jordan said Jude was a gifted child who had an extraordinary memory and could read and write in several languages. She said he communicated with her through a laptop, typing messages that revealed his abuse and fear of his father. However, experts testified that Jude’s laptop skills were not consistent with his cognitive abilities and that Jordan may have influenced or fabricated his messages.
Jude’s father, Raymond Mirra Jr., denied abusing or neglecting his son. He said he loved him dearly and wanted to be part of his life. He accused Jordan of alienating him from Jude and preventing him from seeing him. He also said he had no access to Jude’s trust fund, which was controlled by Jordan.
Jude died on February 5, 2010, at the age of 8. His death shocked and saddened many people who knew him and cared for him. He was remembered as a sweet and innocent boy who deserved better.
Why did Gigi Jordan kill herself?
The exact reason why Gigi Jordan decided to end her own life is not known. However, some possible factors that may have contributed to her decision are:
- Her legal troubles: Jordan was facing a retrial for the murder of her son, which could have resulted in a longer prison sentence or even a life sentence if she was convicted of second-degree murder. She may have felt hopeless or fearful about her future.
- Her mental health: Jordan suffered from a mental disorder that caused her to have paranoid delusions and hallucinations. She may have been depressed or suicidal as a result of her condition or the medication she was taking.
- Her isolation: Jordan had few friends or family members who supported her or understood her. She may have felt lonely or rejected by society.
- Her guilt: Jordan may have felt remorse or regret for killing her son, even if she believed she did it for his own good. She may have missed him terribly or wished things could have been different.
Whatever the reason, Gigi Jordan’s death marked the end of a tragic story that involved the loss of two lives: hers and her son’s. Their deaths raised questions about the issues of autism, abuse, mental illness, justice, and mercy in our society.
