Editor at Penguin Random House mocks murdered executive Wesley LePatner in social media post.
A high-ranking editor at Penguin Random House is under fire for allegedly making insensitive comments about the tragic murder of Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner in a controversial Instagram post that blamed her for the housing crisis, concluding with the disturbing phrase “rest in piss.”
Thomas Gebremedhin, the vice president and executive editor at Doubleday Books, shared an Instagram story featuring a post that drew attention to Monday’s mass shooting at 345 Park Ave., where LePatner, a 46-year-old Jewish mother of two, was fatally shot while seeking refuge behind a marble column.
The original post depicted LePatner as the perpetrator behind skyrocketing housing costs, suggesting that her primary role was to ensure that housing remains unaffordable for the masses. The post further stated that she made $9,000 a minute, igniting outrage and disbelief among social media users who swiftly called out the inaccuracies and insensitivity of the content.
Critics were particularly appalled by the callous nature of the repost, considering the tragic circumstances of LePatner’s untimely death and the false insinuations made in the post. The Instagram story reposted by Gebremedhin quickly sparked backlash online, prompting strong condemnation from various quarters, including renowned Free Press reporter Maya Sulkin.
Sulkin herself highlighted the issue in a poignant social media post, lamenting the fact that such reprehensible rhetoric was not confined to fringe internet communities but was being circulated by individuals like Thomas Gebremedhin, a prominent figure within the literary world.
The publishing industry, where Gebremedhin operates, was particularly taken aback by the insensitive repost. With the elite literary circles expressing shock and disappointment in response to the tone-deaf content shared by Gebremedhin, it became evident that his actions had far-reaching consequences.
In a statement provided to The Post, Gebremedhin extended his apologies for sharing the controversial tweet, accepting full responsibility for the harm caused. He acknowledged his lack of due diligence in reading the caption before sharing the post, attributing his actions to irresponsibility and expressing a desire to avoid further contributing to an already tense and chaotic cultural landscape.
The tragic loss of Wesley LePatner, a stalwart in the Blackstone executive team, was mourned by her colleagues and family as a talented, compassionate, and highly esteemed professional in the real estate sector. Her contributions to the art community, philanthropic endeavors, and mentorship of young women were also commendable, earning her widespread respect and admiration.
The funeral service for LePatner held at Central Synagogue drew a large gathering of mourners who paid their respects to the beloved executive. Her daughter, in a poignant tribute, referred to her mother as “my rock,” underscoring the deep emotional impact of LePatner’s untimely demise on her family and the community at large.