"He's described as somebody who liked to play games and had sat on the balcony railing and accidentally lost his balance," New York Police Department spokesman Martin Brown said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"No criminality is suspected at this time and the investigation is ongoing," Brown added.
Simpson, who was a junior diplomat with the Australian Mission to the United Nations, went up to the building's roof with his wife and friends to admire the Empire State Building's rainbow lights celebrating the result of Australia's Tuesday referendum on same-gender marriage vote, which passed decisively in favor of marriage equality.
According to police reports, Simpson swung a female friend around while on the roof. When the woman's husband confronted the man about his behavior, Simpson suggested that they play a "trust game" to prove that the husband could trust him. The game consisted of Simpson leaning over the balcony and his friend preventing him from falling.
— SpazianiG (@SpazianiG) November 15, 2017
Even though the man tried to catch Simpson and stop him from falling, the young diplomat still fell to his death.
On Thursday morning, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, "It is a tragedy and hearts go out to his family but I cannot provide any more details," the Australian news outlet reported.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement, "Julian was a diligent, professional and highly skilled diplomat, whose support I valued, particularly during UN Leaders' Week."
"He will be remembered as someone dedicated to the service of our nation as a member of Australia's foreign service."
