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French Chef’s Tragic Death in France Shatters New York City Restaurant Dream
A French culinary professional has died under mysterious circumstances in France, shortly after a distressed phone call to his wife and investing a significant sum of money, $200,000, into their envisioned life and business venture in New York City. François-Tanguy Olivon, 34, was discovered deceased after security footage captured him falling from a bridge in Bayonne, France. Olivon and his wife, Manon, had meticulously planned a relocation from France to New York City, where they had committed a substantial down payment to launch their own dining establishment, Chez Fanfan, in the SoHo district.
Disappearance and Frantic Plea
While vacationing in southern France, Olivon vanished unexpectedly after placing a frantic call to his wife at 1:00 AM on February 22nd. According to French media reports, Manon recounted, “He was yelling at me for help, urging me to come and retrieve him immediately.”
In a Facebook post, Manon stated that Olivon, who appeared intoxicated and alone, “said he was in danger and that he had been assaulted by several individuals.” This was the last communication she had with her husband.
An eyewitness reported seeing Olivon on the night of his disappearance wearing a severely damaged t-shirt.
Discovery After Fall from Bridge
Surveillance video documented him falling from the bridge, and his body was recovered from the Adour River twelve days after the incident.
Images of François-Tanguy Olivon
François-Tanguy Olivon, 34, was found dead after security footage saw him fall from a bridge in Bayonne, France
‘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,’ Manon 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,’ Manon wrote to their landlord in NYC
NYC Dream Turns to Tragedy and Financial Hardship
Their anticipated new chapter in NYC abruptly and tragically ended with Olivon’s untimely death.
Manon informed the New York Post that they had already paid a $166,000 security deposit and $47,500 covering two months’ rent for January and February for their restaurant space.
On her GoFundMe page, created to secure financial aid for her children, she expressed her devastation, writing, “Everything was prepared – the location, the arrangements – but now, this aspiration will never materialize.”
Left to cope alone with her two young children, Manon felt their shared dream was “simply unattainable.”
Plea to Landlord for Refund
On March 1st, she communicated her husband’s passing in a formal letter to their New York landlord, Robert Moskowitz, the owner of Only Properties LLC, who had received their rent payments.
She implored Moskowitz to return at least a portion of the funds they had invested.
“Today, I am not writing to a landlord—I am writing to a man,” she wrote in her appeal. “A man who, I hope, can see beyond contracts and figures and comprehend that life sometimes presents us with insurmountable challenges that we cannot confront in isolation.”
She further pleaded, “If you cannot return the full amount, then I beg you to at least return one month’s rent. It would be an enormous help to me and my children.”
Images of Manon’s Grief and NYC Restaurant Plans
‘He was shouting at me for help, to come and get him right away,’ Manon said
Olivon and his wife, Manon, had planned to move from France with their children to New York City, where they had laid a large sum of money to open their own restaurant chain, Chez Fanfan in SoHo
Landlord’s Refusal and Lease Threat
Regrettably, her requests were not only denied; Manon was threatened with liability for the entire ten-year lease, totaling $3 million, unless she signed a “surrender agreement.”
According to reports, Only Properties attorney Nicole Waknine informed Manon in a letter, “Refusing to sign the surrender agreement will not result in a return of your security deposit, but it will result in you being held fully responsible for all of the obligations set forth in the parties’ lease agreement.”
Moskowitz’s attorney has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Starting Over After Devastating Loss
Manon ultimately signed the surrender agreement. However, their “entire life savings” had been directed towards their envisioned future in NYC.
“I am left with nothing,” Manon conveyed to the Post. “I no longer own a home, as we sold it some time ago to relocate to New York. My car is gone. My employment is gone, as my husband and I divested from our restaurant in Brittany,” she explained.
“Leaving me without resources as I struggle to secure a future for my children,” she added.
“I must rebuild from the ground up – without my husband, without our shared dream, and with two young children dependent on me.”
Fundraising for Family’s Future
Manon hopes that the fundraising campaign will offer assistance in raising her children following the loss of their father and the depletion of their life savings, as well as cover expenses associated with his death.
“We were a loving and close family, filled with affection and aspirations. François-Tanguy was an extraordinary father and husband, a compassionate man who consistently prioritized others,” Manon expressed.
“Now, Rose (4 years old), Ethan (8 years old), and I must navigate a path forward without him, but the reality is overwhelming.”
“While this financial assistance represents only a portion of our total investment in starting a new life, it will provide me with some much-needed peace of mind during this ordeal and offer Rose and Ethan some vital stability.”