By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Mark Madoff's death has left widow Stephanie Madoff "devastated," she told the New York Post Wednesday.
"I will miss him and love him forever," she told the Post.
It was her first public statement since her husband, the 46-year-old son of Bernie Madoff, hanged himself from his SoHo apartment Saturday.
"My husband Mark took his own life," Stephanie Madoff told the Post, "and regardless of how you feel about my father-in-law and his monstrous crimes, Mark's children are innocent victims and this is tragic for them. I am devastated and now raising two small children alone."
The widow also said that friends will be convening privately later this week to remember Mark Madoff, who was cremated Tuesday.
"I ask that you please show decency and understanding toward all of Mark's children and allow us to mourn in private," she added.
Mark Madoff, who took his own life on the second anniversary of his father's arrest, had tried two unsuccessful suicide attempts Saturday morning before he succeeded in hanging himself with a black dog leash, the Post reported.
His first two attempts involved a vacuum cleaner cord, which snapped, and another dog leash, according to the Post.
Mark Madoff had not spoken to Bernie Madoff, who is serving a 150-year sentence, in two years. The senior Madoff's lawyer said Monday that he would not be attending any type of funeral services, DNAinfo reported.
Ruth Madoff, Bernie Madoff's wife, has said that she blamed her imprisoned husband for their son's suicide.
