A shocking incident has rocked the publishing world, with Thomas Gebremedhin, a top editor at Penguin Random House, coming under fire for a distasteful Instagram post mocking the tragic murder of Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner. In a bizarre Instagram story, Gebremedhin shared a post that blamed LePatner for the housing crisis and ended with the callous words “rest in piss.”
The original post that Gebremedhin reposted portrayed LePatner, a Jewish mother of two, as the face of unaffordable housing, claiming that “Her sole job was making sure housing is expensive and that we all rent for the rest of our lives.” The post went on to falsely state that she made “$9,000 a minute” before ending with the disrespectful phrase “Rest in piss.”
Social media users were quick to point out the inaccuracies in the post and condemned Gebremedhin’s actions. The post was first made in response to Blackstone’s official memorial tweet for LePatner and was flagged by Free Press reporter Maya Sulkin.
Sulkin highlighted the disturbing nature of Gebremedhin’s repost, stating that it’s not just individuals in the dark corners of the internet justifying LePatner’s murder, but also people like Gebremedhin. The publishing world was shocked by the tone-deaf nature of the post, especially coming from someone who moves in elite literary circles.
Gebremedhin’s Instagram account, @tgebremedhin, is private, but screenshots of the story began circulating online, sparking widespread condemnation. Many in the industry expressed their disgust at the post, with one user commenting that the book publishing industry is full of scum and another criticizing the left for justifying the murder of individuals with wealth.
In response to the backlash, Gebremedhin issued an apology to The Post, stating, “I sincerely apologize for reposting a tweet that attempted to justify the killing of a Blackstone executive — I shared it without fully reading the caption, which was deeply irresponsible. I take full accountability for the harm caused and have no desire to contribute to a culture already overwhelmed with rage and noise.”
Wesley LePatner was a highly respected Blackstone executive who tragically lost her life during a mass shooting at 345 Park Ave. She was mourned by her firm and family as a brilliant and warm individual who was deeply respected. LePatner’s senseless death has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her, and her memory will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her.
As the publishing world grapples with the fallout of Gebremedhin’s actions, it serves as a stark reminder of the power and responsibility that comes with being a public figure. In a time when empathy and compassion are needed more than ever, it is crucial to think before sharing content that could cause harm or perpetuate negativity. Let us honor the memory of Wesley LePatner by promoting kindness and understanding in all that we do.
