Police: Fandango founder jumped to his death from posh Midtown hotel
![Police: Fandango founder jumped to his death from posh Midtown hotel Police: Fandango founder jumped to his death from posh Midtown hotel](https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/a2d65ec2-5bcc-4f67-8337-e51c695b60c3.jpeg?w=1200&p=q)
A 64-year-old man died after allegedly jumping to his death from the 20th floor of the Kimberly Hotel at 145 East 50th Street.
Photo by Dean Moses
The founder of movie ticket website Fandango was the man who allegedly jumped to his death from a posh Midtown hotel on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.
According to police sources, 64-year-old J. Michael Cline was found dead in the courtyard of the Kimberly Hotel at 145 East 50th Street around 10:30 a.m. on July 16.
Investigators believe the businessman jumped to his death from the 20th floor, prompting the police and the city’s emergency services to intervene. Police say the injuries he sustained indicate a fall from an elevated position. No crime is suspected so far.
Cline founded the popular movie app Fandango in 2000. On Fandango, users can buy tickets to the latest cinema screenings or stream films through the online service. Cline left the company in 2011.
![Fandango founder leaped to his death off ritzy Midtown hotel: cops 2](https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20f935ed-4d5c-4655-b563-9c14f7dbc6f5.jpeg?w=1200)
“I am the founder and managing partner of Accretive. Accretive has a unique track record of systematically creating successful companies by coming up with good ideas, funding them with its capital, recruiting great talent, and helping to build the companies. I am also the Executive Chairman of Juxtapose, a similar type of company focused on building leading consumer goods companies. Work at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,” Cline wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
The Harvard Business School graduate also founded Stealth Mode Startup Company, an information technology service focused on software application development, where he served as chairman.
The gruesome sight shocked guests and spectators as police rushed to and from the scene and the coroner tended to the remains.
“I can’t believe this, how terrible,” said one guest when she heard about the death.
Cline’s body was recovered by the medical examiner’s office, which will make the final determination on the cause of death. A motive for the suicide has not been determined.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.