People are furious after high-paid editor mocks Jewish exec's death
Controversy Erupts Over Penguin Random House Editor's Repost Mocking Murdered Blackstone Executive
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Thomas Gebremedhin, a vice president and executive editor at Doubleday Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, has faced intense backlash for reposting an Instagram story that mocked the recent murder of Wesley LePatner, a senior executive at Blackstone.
Wesley LePatner, 43, was a senior managing director at Blackstone, leading its Core+ real estate business and serving as CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). She was killed on July 28, 2025, in a mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, an office tower housing Blackstone and other firms. The gunman opened fire in the building, killing four people, including LePatner, an NYPD officer, a security guard, and another victim and injuring one more. LePatner, a Yale alumna and prominent Jewish philanthropist with ties to New York City's Jewish community, was remembered for her mentorship and charitable work. Her funeral was held amid widespread mourning, with the incident sparking discussions about workplace safety and urban violence.
The shooting has been linked to broader societal tensions, with some online commentators celebrating the deaths due to the victims' affiliations with corporations like Blackstone, which has been criticized for its role in real estate investments, evictions, and exacerbating housing affordability issues. This "Luigism" undercurrent, referring to celebratory reactions to targeted killings of executives, highlights a chilling erosion of empathy in public discourse.
Gebremedhin's Involvement and Backlash
Gebremedhin, who has been with Penguin Random House for years and oversees notable titles, reposted an Instagram story that falsely attributed housing crises to LePatner and concluded with the derogatory "Rest in piss" a twist on "Rest in peace" implying disdain or satisfaction at her death.
Critics, including journalists and social media users, have labeled the action "morally reprehensible" and called for his dismissal, arguing it glorifies murder and reflects poorly on the publishing industry.
The incident has been amplified on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with figures like Robbie Joe Banfitch, Charles Gasparino, and others highlighting it as part of a disturbing trend of celebrating violence against perceived corporate elites.
Neither Gebremedhin nor Penguin Random House has publicly responded, though the controversy continues to gain traction in media outlets like the New York Post, Fox News, and Yahoo.
This case echoes similar reactions to the 2024 assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, where online glee over executive deaths raised ethical concerns about public discourse.