Ashley Riggitano Suicide: NJ Fashionista Jumps to Death off George Washington Bridge on 22nd Birthday, Leaves Behind 'Grudge' Notes [PHOTOS]

Police sources confirm that New Jersey native Ashley Anne Riggitano, an up-and-coming fashionista and recent graduate from the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in Manhattan, fell to her death after jumping off of the George Washington Bridge on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The New York Post claims that several "grudge" notes were later found inside Riggitano's Louis Vuitton handbag after her suicide, insinuating that she had been bullied by some of her fashion school friends. Sadly, the website** Cliff View Pilot also reports that Wednesday was Riggitano's 22nd birthday.

Riggitano was born-and-raised in Paramus, NJ. The Laboratory Institute of Merchandising graduate also worked as a public relations/wholesale intern for Alex Woo. The Daily Mail contacted Woo on Thursday, who said "She always had a smile on her face... she didn't look depressed." Riggitano only worked as a part-time intern, and wished to learn more about the fashion business. 

In 2011, she founded the jewelry-crafting company Missfits with her best friend, Victoria Van Thunen. On the Missfits official Facebook page, Riggitano wrote:

"Even when I was a little girl I always knew I wanted to be a designer. I always had the desire to start up a jewelry line and what way better than to start it with my best friend and partner Victoria."

The beautiful, recently-turned 22-year-old took her own life on Wednesday, Feb. 6 to the shock and horror of several onlookers. Riggitano jumped off of the upper level, northbound side of the George Washington Bridge at about 4:40 p.m. Authorities pulled her lifeless body from the icy cold Hudson River shortly after the jump. Riggitano's designer handbag was recovered during the tragic process.

According to the New York Post, a source found what they described as a "suicide diary" inside Riggitano's purse that included a list of five girls she did not want to attend her funeral. "All my other 'friends' are in it for gossip," one sad note allegedly said. "Never there."

Riggitano also mentioned a man on her "grudge list" who supposedly didn't treat her well in the past. Riggitano invited him to her own funeral, but also wrote that she hopes he "gets what he deserves" when he gets there.

The New York Post reports:

"The uninvited parties appear to be friends from college or work. According to the notes, it appears Riggitano was bullied by her fashion friends... She reportedly had a history of problems and tried to commit suicide at least once before."

Sources also claim that medication including Adderall and Klonopin were found in Riggitano's bag.

On Wednesday, Riggitano's friend and business partner Van Thunen wrote this rather cryptic message on her Facebook page:

"Those who incessantly blame others as the cause of their issues should perhaps take a step back and reevaluate these situations. The common thread may be that 'they' aren't the problem, but rather that YOU are."

Before starting her own business (where she designed and sold her own bracelets), Riggitano interned for several prestigious fashion companies includingTommy Hilfiger and Nicole Miller.

According to the Missfits website:

"We are two Jersey girls who grew up one poof of Tinkerbelle's fairy dust from culturally-rich NYC. And although we hail from the Garden State, it is Manhattan that we will always call home. It is our playground, our inspiration and our lifeline in all aspects of the word... Just as no two people are the same, nor are any two Missfits pieces. Each is made with semi-precious gemstones and an array of ethnic beads from across the globe. Join us in our diverse passions and we promise you will not regret lining your wrists and swan-like necks with our brand."

Prior to Wednesday's fatal jump, Riggitano had just returned home from a trip down south.She also attended a fundraiser in January at the Seasons Restaurant in Washington Township for Nico Santoli, a little boy fighting a rare form of childhoood eye cancer.

Riggitano's family in New Jersey could not immediately be reached for comment.

Fellow Laboratory Institute of Merchandising students were informed of Riggitano's unfortunate death in a campus-wide email, and several peers were shocked by the news - "You just never know what goes through someone's mind," LIM student Helen Koltovskaya told the New York Daily News. "Some people don't tell others what they are going through. I don't know how this can happen."

Thoughts and condolences go out to Riggitano's family and friends during this time of tragedy. 

(**Correction, CliffviewPilot.com is a licensed and bonded LLC website, not a blog).