Eric Clapton’s Son Died Running Out of a 53rd Story Full-Wall Window a Janitor Had Removed to Let in Fresh Air

Clapton’s son, Conor, who he had with model and actress Lori del Santo while still married to Patti Boyd, died at the age of four years old after falling from a window in del Santo’s 53rd floor, New York City apartment.  The window was a full wall window that had been removed by a janitor to let fresh air in while he worked.  Conor was playing hide and seek with a nanny and running from her when he ran into the room with the open window and straight out of it.  Clapton found out when he arrived later to pick up Conor and del Santo to go to the zoo.

This gave rise to one of Clapton’s most popular songs, “Tears in Heaven”, which is referencing Clapton’s grief as well as regret that up until that point he had been a reluctant father who was often absent and, according to del Santo, only the night before had told her that he wanted to become a much bigger part of Conor’s life, only to have Conor die the next day; hence the “Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven?”

According to del Santo, during her pregnancy, Clapton attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself, but ultimately just passed out and eventually regained consciousness.  Clapton’s manager also attempted to get del Santo to abort the baby as he thought del Santo would try to use the baby to extort money from Clapton, which ultimately never happened.

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21 comments

  • Tragic story that could happen to anyone. One slight mistake and look what happens

  • Things like this wouldn’t happen if more of us paid attention to one another, and cared for each other’s safety, and we’ll being. I’d feel exactly the same if it happened to anyone else in the universe.

    • noneofyourbuisness

      wait so are you trying to say its Conor’s dad Eric’s fault or his mothers fault bcause they “were not” paying attention?

  • I hope that janitor was sued as well as imprisoned for negilgant homicide. My heart aches for him as I know what it is like to lose a son.

    • He was an idiot janitor for sure but..he was never blamed for the terrible accident that cost little Conor his life. But worse than that..the janitor never said he was sorry to Eric or Lory for the accident; nor did he ever express condolences to them for their son’s death. So, it’s one thing to be an accidental idiot (for Conor’s accidental death)..but to be a purposeful idiot (for purposely ignoring Conor’s death)..has to be the worst.

    • He got off scot free and no one was sued, really disgusting.

    • Just say sorry for your lost of your son only 4 years old miss out been with his mum and dad and rest of brothers and sister grandparents see you in heaven one day soon

  • It was a horrible accident. Clapton didn’t blame anyone. Not even the janitor who left the window open. Clapton said the janitor probably didn’t know a child was in the apartment. It’s one of those things where you want to scream WHY?!! Just an unbelievable accident. Pray for Eric and Conor’s mother Lory Del Santo.RIP little Conor.

  • RIP little Conor. You were very loved and missed. Will pray for your parents who are in agony for your lose of life.

  • YES, ERIC. HE WILL KNOW YOU IN HEAVEN. MAYBE HE WILL WANT TO LEARN TO FLY FISH. MAYBE HE HAS WRITTEN A COUPLE OF SONGS FOR HIS DAD. THANK YOU, ERIC, FOR THE MUSIC. I GUESS GRIEF IS FOREVER. BUT, THEN, SO IS MUSIC. I’M GLAD YOU SEEM TO KNOW HOW THE MUSIC HELPS. BECAUSE YOUR MUSIC HELPS ME. I BET HIM TOO.

  • He was an idiot janitor for sure but..he was never blamed for the terrible accident that cost little Conor his life. But worse than that..the janitor never said he was sorry to Eric or Lory for the accident; nor did he ever express condolences to them for their son’s death. So, it’s one thing to be an accidental idiot (for Conor’s accidental death)..but to be a purposeful idiot (for purposely ignoring Conor’s death)..has to be the worst.

    • One person interviewed claimed the janitor didn’t know there was a child in the apartment, yet the mother said she heard him tell the nanny to keep Conor away from the window. So the janitor definitely knew as did the mother know the window was removed, yet she left the room to check a fax and was gone 15 minutes! Who does that? Janitor should’ve been charged, maybe not since his name was José which explains a lot. Somebody should’ve been charged.

  • Sthu about the janitor.The mother has only herself to blame.Never ever would i leave my kid trust those stupid nannies knowing there’s an open window like that.

  • If there ist someone to be charged then it’s the one who builds openable full wall windows in the 53rd floor.
    How can it be possible to “run straigth out of an opened window”? At least I would expect there to be some kind of
    a barrier so that things like this can not happen accidentally.
    But one the other hand this raises the question if an appartment like this is the right place for a child of this age.
    I mean parents do anything to avoid little children from touching powerplugs and all this stuff so someone surely missed to check the location wheter or not it’s a potential danger for the child.

    • This horrible accident happened in 2011. This VERY accident was one of the reasons that hotel and upper story apartment windows no longer open.

  • I feel so badly for Eric and Lory. The janitor was not totally responsible for the accident but the fact that he did not Express his condolences makes him just a bad man. I hope he was fired since he wasn’t I actually charged with anything. I listen to the song Tears in Heaven quite often and I usually cry. But is it such a beautiful Legacy for Connor. The song talks about things that would happen in heaven if they met there but it also says I must be strong I must carry on and I think writing and Performing the song is his way of carrying on. Condolences to Eric and Lory and to all the family and friends of Connor. I have three grown sons I know I am so lucky because they are doing exceptionally well. I cannot imagine anything like this or any tragedy befalling them. Please continue with your wonderful music Eric and Lory I hope you find a way to deal with your tragedy.