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I work down at the WTC, and
I work down at the WTC, and the rumor is that a security guard at the Manulife building committed suicide by jumping off the roof. I've been trying to find corroboration through the news outlets, but this blog is the first mention I've found online.
Thankfully I missed all of this, but many people in my office saw some really upsetting, unpleasant things this morning before the scene was cleared by police.
Yes, it is true
Hi: Yes the rumor is true. The security guard was a 22 year old male, About 6:00AM this morning, he ran off the roof of the manulife building on he congress street side. I was at the scene at 6:30AM for a few minutes. I also heard he had a wife and kids.
That is so awful. It's hard
That is so awful. It's hard to think that someone could be in so much despair. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Thankfully, he didn't hit anybody, either
I'm not saying this to be callous - I'm saying it because I know people who have been hit or nearly hit by jumpers. One woman broke her ankle, and had mental health issues as a result of what she witnessed. The other, who had a close call, had similar "haunted" issues for quite a while.
I'm relieved that if somebody felt so horrible that he didn't see another option, he didn't seriously injure anybody else in the process. One sad family, one person dead, is too much already.
I don't think that is
I don't think that is callous at all - many of my co-workers walk to work by the building and one of my first thoughts was how much worse this could have been if they were a few minutes earlier or later.
And after a suicide that left a body lying on a city sidewalk for hours, there is still nothing in the news? I find that so curious.
More often than we know
My friend who got hit by an NYC jumper said the EMTs told her they clean up "hundreds of them" per year! She was wondering exactly what you were - why no press for this?
It turns out there is an intentional policy of silence about it - partly because of past mob cover story for murder situations, partly because the media and the cities believe that publicity encourages the behavior.
I really don't know if it is based on actual incidence data or if it is one of those ritualistic policies. What I do know is they intentionally do not report them widely, and jumper deaths are more common than you might expect.
I gathered that through this
I gathered that through this incident. I have never seen news coverage on any of the suicides that have occured near my offices or dorm rooms, but on this occassion I thought there might be coverage since hundreds, if not thousands, of people saw the aftermath in the hours between when it happened and when they cleared the scene. I thought someone might feel the need to say something about it.
Public suicide attempt makes the news
And then there's this:
Suicide attempt shuts down busy street
Thanks, Adam. I noticed
Thanks, Adam. I noticed that, too - guess the news outlets only object to reporting if you succeed in your attempt? They don't worry that reporting those stories might prompt others to attempt suicide? And by that rationale, does showing a news story on murder/robbery/drug use/child abuse/rape not run the risk of the same consequence, that the masses will run out and give it a whirl because they saw it on the news?
On the one hand, I am A-okay with the media not hounding some poor family who are now living their worst nightmare. On the other hand, I guess I'm a little cynical when I see the press and media claiming their choice of covering or avoiding a specific story is for the public's good.
Oh, my god...how horrible!!
Sorry that he was in that much despair...my condolences to his loved ones and friends.
I was there also. I went by
I was there also. I went by at 8:25 AM on the way to work. I can't believe that they left the body for two hours on the street. It was very upsetting to all of those people heading to work. Very sad situation that a person felt that was there only option. I hope his family can find peace.
Another account
Dawn posted an account of that morning, when she realized that white sheet was covering a body:
Unanswered Questions
He was my brother and thanks for all of your concerns and prayers. He was burried yesterday and the family is coping
Your brother
I saw your posting on universal hub. I was there in the aftermath of your brother's death. I am so sorry for you and your family. I have been saying prayers for your brother since last Friday morning. I lost my Dad due to illness 9 years ago and no matter the circumstance, it is a very difficult thing to lose a family member.
My thoughts are with you.
What Anonymous said:
Sorry to hear about your brother's horrible and untimely death, Still Hurting. I, too lost my dad 6 and a half years ago due to illness, and losing a loved one, no matter how it happens is difficult...and painful. We all still miss my dad. That being said, to paraphrase an adage that an old, old friend of mine gave to me at the time of my dad's passing:
"Here's holding you to the light during these dark and difficult times."
Love and healing to you and
Love and healing to you and your family.