Caesars Escalator Death

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A hedge fund executive fell to his death from an escalator at the Pier Shops at Caesars.

James Vellanti died early Sunday morning and police continue to investigate.

Police were called to the mall, which is connected to the casino by a sky bridge, at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

Vellanti lived in Clinton and was chief operating officer for the hedge fund JNF Asset Management LLC in New York. His age was not available.

It is the second time someone has died in a fall from the escalator.

In the first death, Frank Gilbert Jr, 25, of Galloway Township, fell about 40 feet after witnesses said the 25-year-old sat on the escalator's handrail on Aug. 9, 2008. He died of head injuries later that day.

The mall features more than 75 stores and seven restaurants.  There are three levels to the mall that are open and a fourth is planned.

Pier Shops Web Site