A man hoping to open a restaurant in New York City made a heartbreaking phone call to his wife before he was found dead.
François-Tanguy Olivon and his wife, Manon Olivon, were in the process of uprooting their life in France to move to the US to open Chez Fanfan in SoHo, NYC.
Manon told the New York Post they had already paid out a $166,000 deposit as well as almost $50,000 for two months' worth of rent to Robert Moskowitz, the owner of New York-based Only Properties LLC.
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What should have been the start of their new dream in America was unfortunately cut short after Manon received a mysterious phone call from her husband.
François reportedly disappeared while on a vacation in the south of France after he made a final call to his wife at 1am on February 22.
Speaking to local media about this phone call, Manon said: “He was shouting at me for help, to come and get him right away.”
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She remarked that she never spoke to her husband again, and authorities confirmed that his body was found in the Adour River 12 days later.
A member of the public also reported seeing François on the night he disappeared, allegedly wearing a ‘completely torn’ t-shirt and CCTV appeared to capture him falling off a bridge in the town of Bayonne.
Manon has since faced issues attempting to get her money back from Moskowitz, after having to cancel plans to start the restaurant.
Following the news of her husband’s death, Manon reached out to the landlord, explaining the situation and hoping to at least get a portion of her 'life savings' back.
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However, this request was refused.
In the letter, she wrote: “Today, I am not writing to a landlord - I am writing to a man. A man who, I hope can look beyond clauses and figures and understand that sometimes, life puts us through unimaginable trials that we cannot face alone.
“If you cannot return the full amount, then I beg you to at least return one month’s rent. It would be an immense help to me and my children.”
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Moskowitz’s lawyers said they would hold Manon responsible for the entire 10-year lease unless she signed a ‘surrender agreement’.
Manon has since signed the surrender agreement but has launched a GoFundMe campaign in order to support her family.
The widow wrote: “We were a close-knit family, full of love and dreams. François-Tanguy was an exceptional father and husband, a kindhearted man who always put others before himself. Now, Rose (4 years old), Ethan (8 years old), and I must find a way forward without him, but the reality is devastating.”
She added: “With a heavy heart, I am launching this fundraiser. The funds raised will help me: Ensure a stable future for my children after this devastating loss, cover the costs related to François-Tanguy passing, handle daily expenses as we try to rebuild our lives.”
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It is important to note that experts say Moskowitz did nothing illegal in retaining the deposit and rent payments.
UNILAD has contacted Moskowitz's attorney for comment.
Gerrard Kaonga