Police investigation under the West Seattle Bridge

If you noticed the police and fire response under the bridge, west of the marina: They’re investigating the discovery of a body. Police at the scene told us they’re looking into whether it’s linked to a vehicle found and towed off the bridge early this morning – possibly a case of suicide. After getting a reader report about this investigation with a mention about a car abandoned on the bridge, we went over to ask if it had anything to do with the Walking on Logs vehicle, but police said the vehicle in question was found on the high rise.

(As we note whenever reporting confirmed or possible suicides, they are an epidemic, five times the homicide rate, and shouldn’t be ignored. There **is** help available: Crisis Clinic has online resources and a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.)

19 Replies to "Police investigation under the West Seattle Bridge"

  • West Seattle Hipster January 20, 2013 (5:25 pm)

    Sad story

  • me on 28th Ave SW January 20, 2013 (6:24 pm)

    Heartbreaking

  • G January 20, 2013 (6:25 pm)

    Terrible. Maybe it’s time for some type of anti-suicide fence on the bridge.

  • Ilo January 20, 2013 (6:40 pm)

    Sad indeed, what drives a person to feel so lost and alone that they find this a viable alternative to going on? “G”, unfortunately walls and fences won’t change the facts or address the root problems, people will find a way when they see no other way out. My thoughts go to the families and friends of those struggling with indecision.

  • Diane January 20, 2013 (6:41 pm)

    by “early this morning”, do you mean like right after midnight? after babysitting on Beacon Hill last night, I had to take one of the long detours home, so came back over wsbridge after midnight, maybe closer to 1am and there were about 5 police cars with lights flashing sitting on eastbound side; saw at least 1 vehicle, but too dark/foggy to see what it was about; and since there was nothing on wsblog about it when I got home, figured it was nothing serious

    • WSB January 20, 2013 (8:51 pm)

      4:30 am was mentioned by someone who talked to police before we did.

  • ereljo January 20, 2013 (9:09 pm)

    There is a car accident listed on the Seattle Fire Real-Time 911 website at 12:14 AM this morning… Not sure if that is separate from this incident though. Didn’t see any other West Seattle Bridge incidents on the log but this site is just for 911 calls I think.

    • WSB January 20, 2013 (11:25 pm)

      Ereljo – The 12:14 am crash was definitely unrelated. I had to make a quick trip downtown at that hour and passed the crash in both directions – it was on the eastbound highrise. (Tweeted about it but it wasn’t causing a backup at that hour and no serious injuries were reported, so I didn’t write a separate story.) Same crash to which Diane is referring.

  • westcoastdeb January 21, 2013 (10:18 am)

    RIP, whatever the case.

  • panda January 21, 2013 (10:23 am)

    Very sad. I don’t believe putting up a fence is a solution. If you are depressed tell someone and reach out for help.

  • ca January 21, 2013 (12:15 pm)

    wonder if it was the motorcyclist who jumped few months back? Unless they recovered him and I miss that…so sad, RIP to the person. :(

  • Nitro January 21, 2013 (6:09 pm)

    Any more info? So sad.

    • WSB January 21, 2013 (6:27 pm)

      Generally the only information we will have will be if the Medical Examiner releases identification – in which case I would update here generally with a gender/age. Sometimes families/friends find stories like this one and choose to comment. But so far, no, we don’t know anything else.

  • Steph January 21, 2013 (6:29 pm)

    Sorry but a fence does help. If it stops just ONE life, it works. And not everyone will reach out for help. Sometime that’s the last thing on their minds. RIP.

  • Guy January 21, 2013 (6:50 pm)

    So sad. Thank you for adding the help line number!!

  • panda January 22, 2013 (1:53 pm)

    If you are determined to jump then you are determined to walk to the part of the bridge where there isn’t a fence… or a different bridge. So Sad. A helpline sign ON the bridge would not be a bad idea.

  • WSB January 22, 2013 (3:49 pm)

    His death is listed on the Medical Examiner’s media report for today, which says he was 28 years old.
    .
    (editor’s later note – a relative has subsequently told us he was 27)

  • Guy January 23, 2013 (2:26 pm)

    Sad sad sad!!!!

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