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2019 jump events

the 2nd busiest suicide jump year in skyway history.

updated: 10.30.21
have any factual news, updates, or additions?
(our comments follow)
.
12.31.19: possible jumper
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
12.31.19, Lisa T., facebook, we were going over skyway bridge from southwest florida around 1:30-3:00 pm. There was a slow down going up and a few trucks at the top. one of doors was open to truck with no passenger. We feared someone may have attempted suicide. Were they stopped?

any more info is welcome.
.
12.06.19: possible jumper, 6:00pm
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
12.11.19, Debby, Lithia, FL., On December 6 at 6:pm I was crossing the Kkyway going Northbound and there was a black pickup truck at the top of the bridge with it's hazards on. The lights were not on and I couldn't see in vehicle as I was driving by. I called FHP and told them of the vehicle. I have a picture of the car but the resolution is terrible. I am hoping that someone just had car problems. Did you hear anything about this?

any more info is welcome.
.
12.05.19: jumper, 9:00am, male, died
Kenny/Kenneth ?
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
12.05.19, LuCky7, (9:20am), Red car on top of bridge...not occupied. By the time I got to the bottom of the bridge I could see state troopers rushing to the top of the bridge.

12.05.19, ESP, St. Pete, (9:00am, body found), Info from Pinellas 911 web site and 911 radio transmissions.

12.05.19, Barbara H., facebook, You probably know by now someone jumped about 20 minutes ago. I heard the odd siren sounds and so many agencies responding I pretty much knew. I wish jumpers knew they don't always die when they jump then maybe so many wouldn't jump but it has been kind of slow lately.

12.05.19, Lisa N., facebook, Small red car on top of the bridge. Police are going through it

any more info is welcome.
12.05.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Expect delays southbound as multiple agencies on-scene after subject jumped from center span. Recovery ongoing. later: Confirmed death.
facebook article posts
.
11.25.19: possible save, 08:59pm
unknown
11.25.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MENTALLY ILL PERSON/NON VIOLENT, 3839, SKYWAY BG, 20:59, 21:29, 0h30m

any more info is welcome.
.
11.08.19: possible jumper, 7:00am
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
11.08.19, Fossil Diver, St.Pete., regarding: Possible jumper 11/8/19 @ approx. 7AM, Abandoned vehicle southbound lane. One police car on the scene. No sign of the driver anywhere.

any more info is welcome.
.
11.07.19: possible save, 08:26pm
unknown
11.07.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MENTALLY ILL PERSON/NON VIOLENT, SKYWAY BG, 20:26, 20:41,  0h15m

any more info is welcome.
.
10.17.19: possible save, 10:18pm
unknown
10.17.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MENTALLY ILL PERSON/NON VIOLENT, SKYWAY BG, 22:18, 22:46 0h28m

any more info is welcome.
.
10.13.19: save, 9:30am
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
10.13.19, anon, Subject just taken into protective custody under Baker Act. Southbound lanes. Fire rescue cancelled by FHP


10.13.19, Jan P., facebook, We crossed the bridge this AM with several police cars rushing to the bridge. Lone truck at the top surrounded by police.

any more info is welcome.
.
10.09.19: unfortunate save, 11:40am, male
James Cromwell Humphreys, 50
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
10.09.19, Mary, Saint Petersburg, Policy activity on the bridge, traffic stopped going south. Northbound traffic not stopped

10.09.19, Jenny B., Sarasota, (11:40am, male), I saw the possible jumper on the skyway. Got out of his truck (his dog still inside) and was straddling the right hand southbound wall. He was wearing swim trunks. A police officer pulled up as I approached his location.

10.09.16, Tori H., facebook, Attempted jumper about 30 minutes ago. FHP was able to stop them.

10.09.19, Holly P., facebook, Was coming over the bridge heading northbound around 12 noon today. Car stopped at top of Southbound side with state troopers around it. About 7 or 8 St Pete Police cars were heading in that direction with their lights on. Assuming someone jumped.

10.09.19, Jenn B., facebook, Anyone know if this guy was able to be saved around lunchtime today?



10.10.09, Jeff N.,


any more info is welcome.
10.09.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, REFER - FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, SKYWAY BG, 1141, 1143, 0h2m
10.09.19, wfla.com, Accused child molester drives to Skyway Bridge, threatens to jump off, police say
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) – Pinellas Park police have arrested a man in a disturbing case of child sex abuse.
Pinellas Park police say James Cromwell Humphreys, 50, had several children over at his home all under the age of 12.
Humphreys allegedly asked one of the children to sleep in his bed, the child said he wanted to sleep in another bed but woke up in the middle of the night and found Humphreys performing a sex act on the child.
Officers went to question Humphreys who then sped off in a car and went to the top of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
According to police, Humphreys threatened to jump and called relatives to say he was ending his life.
A Pinellas Park Police officer who is a trained crisis negotiator was able to talk Humphreys away from the edge and place him into custody.
Police believe there may be more victims and they are asking parents of children who may have had contact with Humphreys to talk to their children to find out if they have been abused in any way.
Humphreys will have a first appearance in front of a Pinellas County judge on Thursday afternoon.

10.10.19, iontb/fbiontb.com, Pinellas Park Man Jailed for Sexual Battery on a Child After Officer Stops Him From Jumping off Skyway,
The Pinellas Park Police have arrested 53 year-old James Humphreys on eight counts of Sexual Battery and Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer.
Investigators from the Pinellas Park Police Department developed probable cause to arrest James Cromwell Humphreys on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 after conducting further investigation into the allegations of sexual battery committed upon two separate juvenile males. The 10 and 12 year-old males are being described as neighborhood friends.
During the investigation, detectives were able to determine that Humphreys had the victims at his residence multiple times between September and December of 2018, during which time he performed oral sex on the juvenile victims. Also during the investigation it was determined that Humphreys was buying the victims gifts, taking them to lunch and to the park in an effort to continue his sexual relationship with the victims.
On Wednesday morning at approximately 8:00 am detectives attempted to make contact with Humphreys at his residence at which time he refused to come to the door and speak with the detectives. After leaving the residence detectives were in communication with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office regarding this investigation when Humphreys left his residence that was under surveillance.
During an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on Humphreys he fled the scene driving recklessly against traffic in 7400 block of 49th Street at which time officers called off any attempts to stop Humphreys from fleeing.
At approximately 12:00 pm, information was received that Humphreys vehicle was located parked on top of the Skyway Bridge and he was found standing on the edge of the bridge threatening to jump. St. Petersburg Police units and a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper initially made contact with Humphreys on the bridge and were attempting to speak with him.
A detective with Pinellas Park PD that was familiar with the investigation and who is a trained crisis negotiator arrived on scene at the Skyway Bridge and he began speaking with Humphreys. The detective was able to speak with and convince Humphreys to climb back on to the roadway of the bridge where was taken into custody with the assistance of the St. Petersburg Police Department Officers and Florida Highway Patrol Trooper.
Pinellas Park Police believe there is the potential for more victims and are asking anyone with additional information to come forward. The investigation remains open at this time.
Additional details are currently unavailable but Humphreys was arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Battery and Capital Sexual Battery in October 2007.

10.10.19, tampabay.com, Man accused of child sexual battery talked off edge of Sunshine Skyway Bridge
He was fleeing from officers trying to arrest him on 2018 allegations that he assaulted two boys, 10 and 12, according to Pinellas Park police.
A 53-year-old Pinellas Park man accused of sexually battering two boys was persuaded to step away from the edge of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Wednesday after fleeing from officers who were trying to arrest him, police said.
James Cromwell Humphreys told the officers at the top of the bridge that "he was going to die by suicide by cop" before he was taken into custody at about 12:30 p.m., according to Pinellas Park police.
Investigators say Humphreys repeatedly sexually battered two neighborhood boys, ages 10 and one 12, at his home from September 2018 through December 2018. He bought them gifts, took them to lunch and to the park to try to keep developing a relationship with them, police said.
Police decided to arrest Humphreys on Wednesday. But when detectives went to his home at 8110 61st Way N at about 8 a.m., they said he refused to come to the door. He was under police surveillance when he drove off.
When a police officer activated their cruiser’s lights and siren to pull Humphreys over, police said he refused to stop on 49th Street N, instead speeding through a parking lot, driving against traffic, hopping a curb and running a red light.
The officer ended the pursuit for safety reasons and alerted dispatchers.
Then at about noon, Humphreys’ vehicle was spotted at the top of the Sunshine Skyway and he was found standing on the edge, threatening to jump, Pinellas Park police said. A St. Petersburg police officer and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper tried to talk to until a Pinellas Park detective, trained as a crisis negotiator, arrived.
The detective persuaded Humphreys to climb back onto the roadway, and then he was taken into custody.
The arrest reports note one assault involving a 12-year-old boy took place Humphreys’ home at about 8 p.m. on Dec. 1. A number of children were sleeping in the home, the reports said, and the boy told investigators that Humphreys was intoxicated.
Humphreys, who works with a concrete and masonry company, was arrested in 2007 on a charge of sexual battery of a child under 12 in connection with an incident in Pinellas Park. He was sentenced to 20 months in jail in that case.
He faces four counts of sexual battery of a child under the age of 12, four counts of sexual battery and one count of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer. He was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on Thursday in lieu of $860,000 bail.
Pinellas Park police ask anyone who has information about Humphreys or believes they were the victim of an assault to contact them at (727) 369-7864.
        florida.arrests.org

sheriff's charge reports:
  1  2 
10.09.19 10.17.07 06.01.01    
facebook article posts
.
10.09.19: possible jumper, 4:30am, female
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
10.09.19, anon, 5:40am


12.02.19, Ashley, Saint Petersburg, regarding: October 9th 2019, On my way to work October 9th at 4:30am I saw a young girl probably 20ish running towards the edge and I called the police but I want to know if she lived. Her car was stopped southbound but she was running towards the northbound wall.

any more info is welcome.
.
10.06.19: possible jumper, 2:45pm
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
10.06.19, Tony C., facebook, All kinds of sirens headed to the Skyway along with Rescue Team in boats. Watched em all head out. Heard sirens watched 4 or 5 troopers and rescue go by, then watched rescue boat coming out of Oneils.

10.06.19, Alyssa, Sarasota, (2:45pm), Driving southbound over the bridge about 2:45 pm. There were a lot of cops and fire crew at the top. Cops flew by us at a ridiculous speed. A red truck was unoccupied. A gray truck with a male and a female were talking to the police. I thought I saw a boat with flashers in the water.

any more info is welcome.
.
10.04.19: possible jumper, 8:50pm
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
10.05.19, Courtney N., Seminole, FL., (10.04.19, 8:50pm, hit water), Drove past northbound. 07’ or newer gold Equinox was parked atop of southbound lanes with police activity making contact with the vehicle.

any more info is welcome.
.
09.24.19: possible jumper, 6:30am
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
09.24.19, anon, Jumper??? 9/24 @ 6:30am. Manatee and Pinellas are working a water Rescue off the skyway. It came out to Manatee across the pulsepoint app at 6:30. Could be a jumper? I'm trying to check the PD sites now.

any more info is welcome.
.
09.22.19: possible jumper, 4:20am
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
09.22.19, Angela L., facebook, Possible jumper this morning southbound.

09.22.19, anon, (4:20am), The whole emergency crew responding at 4:20 this morning. I am not sure if it was a jumper or not, but was told high possibility.

any more info is welcome.
.
08.21.19: possible jumper, 6:55pm
unknown
08.21.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1855, 1943, 0h48m

any more info is welcome.
.
08.13.19: jumper, 2:24pm, died
unknown
08.13.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MISSING PERSONS - ADULT ENDANGERED, SKYWAY BG, 1424, 1541, 1h17m

08.13.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 1506, 2117, 6h11m

any more info is welcome.
.
08.12.19: jumper, 6:37am, male, died, body found next day
Daniel Alan Judd, 57
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
08.12.19, Angie P., facebook, Jumper this morning? Was stuck on the northbound side. Lots of police activity and boats in the water. Red truck at the top. later: There was a wreck in the left lane but tons of police at the top and police boats in the water. Truck at the top was surround by police. it was the most anxious trip across the bridge I’ve ever made. 😢


08.12.19, Angie R., facebook, So f**king sad! This seems to be emotional for me and I don’t even know the person.. 😭


08.12.19,

back-up well over 6 miles, due to accident blocking the northbound lanes.

08.13.19, anon, Body just recovered under the skyway. Most likely jumper from yesterday

any more info is welcome.
08.12.19, pinellascounty.org,


08.12.19, flhsmv.gov/fhp,


08.12.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MISSING PERSONS - ADULT ENDANGERED, SKYWAY BG, 0618, 1804, 11h46m
08.12.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Two major incidents ongoing on the bridge. Expect delays.#MoveOver. 4 vehicle crash in the northbound lanes and an abandoned vehicle in the south   ound lanes. comment:
• Alyee K., It was a jumper first, and then an accident as a result of witnessing the jumper/traffic beginning to back up. I was there just as traffic began backing up and emergency vehicles arrived. I was listening on the The 5-0 radio app. It was definitely a jumper.

08.12.19, bradenton.com, Were you heading to St. Pete Monday morning? Here’s why you were delayed.
As if the first day of school doesn’t bring enough traffic to deal with, an accident on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at around 7:30 a.m. no doubt made Monday morning congestion worse and a second accident occurred almost immediately after the first accident was cleared.
The second accident took place at about 9 a.m. just south of the toll plaza in the northbound lanes heading toward the bridge that blocked one northbound lane. The extent of the accident was unknown, but authorities didn’t clear the scene until about 12:15 p.m.
Sarasota Manatee Regional Transportation Management Center reported that the first accident also occurred in the northbound lanes of the bridge itself and that one lane of the bridge was blocked, causing backup on I-275 well into Palmetto.
At about 8:45 a.m., the RTMC reported the crash scene on the bridge had been cleared, but residual traffic continued to be an issue well into Monday morning from both accidents.
Southbound lanes were not affected by the crash, but RTMC did report heavy morning back-to-school traffic had made southbound lanes over the Desoto Bridge slow going for a time. (there is also a video included, but all it presents is an advertisement, followed by a graphic "Please check back for updates". no story, no mention of a jumper, and of course, no updates. bradenton.com could usually be counted on to mention jumpers. a man takes his life, that possibly caused the accident, but no, look over here, traffic, traffic, traffic!)
 Daniel Alan Judd   Daniel Alan Judd

obituary

gofundme.com: Dan Judd and Family
08.14.19, anon, Today I got to find out that my cousin became #300 in the suicide on Skyline Bridge. I’m no stranger to suicide, I see it a lot. Though you don’t know my cousin, he was the Robin Williams of our family. The one lively and always full of jokes. Upbeat and generally happy with life. I got to see him several months ago joking and being himself.
And though I wasn’t local. Had I known in recent months what he was dealing with I would have thrown up the red flags. That is my biggest regret of all of it. Not being there when he needed someone, and not knowing that he needed someone. Suicide is always tunnel vision, and unless you are there to break the cycle, and know of what’s coming, which seems to be 20/20 vision of the aftermath, you will most likely never break it.
He loved vehicles, and was proud of his cars. Though I never got to see his red truck. I see it today parked on Skyway Bridge in the aftermath of his suicide. (we are sorry you lost your cousin. we too lost a cousin to a bridge jump suicide and know what it did to our family and the people that knew and loved him. apparently, no one saw it coming. it happened and we were left to deal with it. it sucks. we hope you cope with what you were dealt. be well.)

08.14.19, Kimberly I., He was my uncle and a very good man. He could tell a joke and make you laugh so hard. I remember him buying my mom a car when I was younger (ours broke down) and he said just pay him back when she can. He was the voice of reason if there was an issue in the family. I would of never ever thought this would happen .I haven't seen him in a year since I moved to Chicago. He was just a good man . I'm devastated for my aunt they have been together 30 plus years, they were soulmates. I would always think to my self I hope I can find a love like that. I looked forward to family gatherings because of him, never a dull moment. I won't ever understand...
facebook article posts

• Melissa S., fbplugin, I'm sorry for your loss! My brother jumped 4/18/19 and he was also the funniest person I knew! It's been tough, full of questions I never got answers and never will! R.I.P.

• Alisha T., fbplugin, love you all, plz watch over me as im losing my own battle. this world is a not so nice place and its cause the most awesome people who can help shape this world are leaving it sooner than later.

Lynn P., Alisha, please don't give in. Please get help. Talk to someone. This pain I feel for this man and his family is more than I can bare. Please don't add to this list of sadness.
.
08.11.19: possible jumper, 3:30am
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
08.11.19, Tim, Palmetto, (3:30am), 2nd jumper this morning. Between 3 and 4 A.M. I can confirm it, but not sure which direction on bridge.

08.11.19, Sherry N., Yeah we were on the fishing pier looked like same location but cops wasn't there long

any more info is welcome.
08.11.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUSPICIOUS PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 0224, 0246, 0h22m
.
08.10.19: today's jump marks #300 jumper suicides in the history of the skyway bridge, according to all the stats that we have accumulated. we are sure the number is higher, but we do not have access to all the facts and statistics. your comments and updates are always welcome.
facebook article posts,
• 08.12.19, Dean B., I witnessed a young girl two years ago. She stopped in the right lane at the top. Just as I went to hit my horn. She got out of her car casually looked at me and Jumped! I was not right for a couple of weeks. Now I have become numb of the Jumpers. So sad. I was stuck on the Skyway for an hour this morning. Then I saw the abandoned Truck up top! So sad.

• 08.12.19, Barbara H., It has to be many more unfortunately. I live nearby and can see emergency vehicles on top of the bridge and corresponding fire department vehicles at O'Neill's Marina. I think some get picked up quickly.

• 08.12.19, Krissi B., i stopped a jumper this summer... he was trying to find his way up on bridge, he was in the parking lot of the condos, and then walked on the sea wall & showed up in my backyard where I was able to talk to him....
.
08.10.19: jumper, male, hit rocks, died, body found same day
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
08.10.19, anon, (7:45pm, hit water, died), I drove past, the jumpers car was still pulled to the side of road. There were a bunch of police offers looking down off the bridge & ambulances on seen. There was a helicopter circling the area where the jumper landed, I’m assuming to search for the body.

08.10.19, Alicia, Terra Ceia, Possible jumper at 830 pm


08.10.19, Tim, Palmetto, (9:50pm), Jumper S.B. Side of skyway. 4 Police cars on the scene looking over the bridge along with towing company getting ready to tow vehicle. I was going N.B. And couldn’t see typo of vehicle. later: Follow up on earlier report.. Police activity in Pinellas on I-275 south at Sunshine Skyway, right lane blocked. 8/10/19, 7:52 PM, Last updated at 09:20:14PM.

08.10.19, Mary H., Tampa, Police cars and people on Southbound lane of Skyway, At least 2 police cars, and several men looking over side of Skyway Bridge. Empty car also there.

08.10.19, anon, Male subject approximately 30s-40s jumped from center span of the bridge. He has been located on the rocks just below center span, Manatee County Search & Rescue in conjunction with the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office was able to successfully remove him with the use of 5 highly skilled divers without incident.

08.10.19, Carol D., facebook, Just passed emergency vehicles about 40 minutes ago, possibly a jumper... The look on the firefighters faces was a tell tale sign.😢

08.10.19, Christine, twitter, We drove over the northbound lanes, saw three rescuers peering over the edge of the southbound tip, one empty parked vehicle, and more rescue vehicles racing to the scene. Terrible feeling seeing that and knowing what must’ve just happened.

08.10.19, Lisa,

any more info is welcome.
08.10.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 1951 , 0307, 7h16m
08.10.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: First responders on the bridge and below the span. #MoveOver
facebook article posts
.
08.04.19: jumper, male, hit water, died, body found
Alexander Brian Stratton, 23
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
08.05.19, Tori H., facebook, Someone jumped last night around 11:45pm.

08.05.19, Arthur, Clearwater, FL., (male, hit water, died), ECSR recovered and transferred to FB11.

08.07.19, Matthew O., The body was recovered 8/5 but he must have jumped 8/4

any more info is welcome.
08.04.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 2332, 0440, 5h8m
08.04.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Watch for emergency vehicles at midspan. #MoveOver comments:
•08.04.19, Renee L., I'm on the skyway now, they jumped 😢
•08.05.19, Jill M., Just found. Confirmed death. So sad
  Alexander Brian Stratton

facebook

10.30.21, Joel G., I am not sure if this is the same person that you have for 8-4/5, but thought I would pass it your way. I worked with the guy. It's sad, he had lost a lot of weight and seemed happy. Depression is a MF.

obituarymanager.com, Alexander Brian Stratton, 23, of St. Petersburg left this Earth on Sunday, August 4 just before midnight when the pain of life brought him to the top of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over the Tampa Bay to die in the very water where he lived near and loved to fish, swim and go boating in. Alex was born on December 5, 1995 in Schenectady NY to Brian U. Stratton, now of Colonie, NY, and Lisa Coppola Stratton of Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Both parents survive their son. Alex was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at 3 years old and battled the tortures of depression his entire life. Despite years of efforts from all who loved him, he lost the fight. His last words on earth spoke to just needing to stop the pain.
Alex was educated at Howe Elementary School in Schenectady, The Brown School in Niskayuna, and graduated from Guilderland High School with high honors in 2014. He then attended the State University of New York at Cobleskill, majoring in fisheries science. He transferred to Hudson Valley Community College where he was on the Dean's List each semester and received an Associates Degree in individual studies in December 2016. He most recently attended the University of South Florida St. Petersburg where he majored in global business and accounting, and received an award for his Mastery of the Principles of Financial and Managerial Accounting in March 2018.
Professionally, Alex was interested in business, politics, international affairs and technology. He was employed in 2017 by Malwarebytes in Clearwater as a lead development representative. While there, he traveled to business events in Phoenix and the Silicon Valley of California, two trips he was so excited to be a part of. He also traveled to England, Germany and the Netherlands as part of trip sponsored by the USF Department of Global Business in the spring of 2018.
As a high school student, he was employed as a camp counselor at the YMCA's Camp Nassau in Guilderland, where had spent summers since he was 6 years old. He also loved his weeks on Lake George at the YMCA's Camp Chingachgook. Alex loved to fish, learning at a young age from his grandparents, Papa and Nana, all about the equipment, hunting for worms, how to bait hooks and use lures, and obtained expert knowledge of fish species and habitat through his own voracious reading and studying. He enjoyed many trips to Adirondack lakes, the Great Lakes, fly fishing in Colorado, and ocean fishing in the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico. Several months ago he hooked a monster Tarpon from his ocean kayak right off of Indian Rocks Beach, one of his proudest fishing accomplishments.
Alex's biggest passion in life was the game Magic the Gathering. He began playing while only in middle school, often learning from and beating adults who had been playing the strategic card game for years. As he progressed through high school and then college, he continued to play competitively, traveling across the country and even to foreign countries including Costa Rica and most recently, Barcelona, Spain. He not only played the game but became a competition-level judge, a difficult and timely designation to receive. He judged at both Levels 1 and 2 in New York, Florida and at a conference in Las Vegas in 2015 with nearly 10,000 participants.
One of his biggest dreams was to qualify for the Magic the Gathering Pro Tour (also called Mythic Championship). On May 11, 2019, his dream came true when he placed first of some 250 players in Orlando and was granted a place in the Championship in Barcelona in July 2019. Thankfully, he played well in Barcelona and was very happy with the trip and the great sights he saw with the friends he traveled and stayed with.
Music was another of Alex's passions, and anyone who knew him well, had heard him play the guitar and even sing his own original music. His refurbished Martin guitar could often be found with him in the back of the car on the way to one stop or another in his active life. His musical tastes varied from alternative rock to grunge to hip hop. He attended many live concerts throughout the country, his first being his beloved band Green Day in Albany, NY, when he was 10 years old.
Through his travels and talents, Alex acquired literally hundreds of close friends throughout the country and even foreign lands. The outpouring from those in the Magic the Gathering Community worldwide has been astounding. His generosity, intelligence and sheer passion for life and what he loved were shared and admired by so many people. Besides his parents, Alex is survived by his maternal grandmother Alice Brown of Indian Rocks Beach, who he was very close to and confided in over the years; David Ardman of Indian Rocks Beach (Lisa's life companion); his maternal aunt Debora Moran; paternal aunts and uncles: Lisa Bravo (and the late Martin Bravo), Debra and Roger Mott, Kevin Stratton, and Kim and Mike Petrie. Beloved cousins also surviving Alex are: Andrew Bravo, Brian Bravo, Alexandra Mott Horton, Nicole Mott Burnim, Mackenzie Stratton Hammock, Carlie Stratton, Megan Petrie Wise, and Jonothan Petrie.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Joseph Coppola, step maternal grandfather Donald Brown, paternal grandfather the Honorable Samuel S. Stratton (US Congressman) and paternal grandmother Joan Stratton. Memorial donations in the name of Alexander Stratton can be sent to Family & Child Service of Schenectady, 256 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12305. This organization was a life support for our family during Alex's entire childhood, providing guidance and assistance with special education systems, government programs, respite care, etc., all from the most caring people in the world. There will be a charity Magic tournament in Alex's honor on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Next Ridge Games, 11230 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL (813) 818-4263. Thank you to store owner Rusty Hunt for his generosity of time and efforts to put this on in Alex's memory. Our family looks forward to attending and meeting many of Alex's friends. Burial and a service will take place in Upstate New York at a date to be determined soon.
facebook article posts

Donna J., I feel so bad for the ones who have to see and tend to the body...

Melissa S., I agree! I wish I could apologize to the person or people that found my brother floating in Tampa Bay! It must be terrible!
.
07.28.19: possible jumper
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
07.28.19, Deanna H., Just curious about what happened on the south side of the bridge around noon today. We saw about 5 police cars with one suv pulled over and another 5 us a fire truck en route?

any more info is welcome.
.
07.27.19: possible jumpers
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
07.27.19, Tim, Palmetto, (5:30am), Police/fire department and towing company top of S.B skyway, getting ready to tow black car.

07.28.19, Stephanie B., Yesterday morning (07.27.19, About 10am, Heading south) I saw a motorcycle on top of bridge with no one nearby?

any more info is welcome.
07.27.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE, SKYWAY BG, 0946, 0953, 0h7m
.
07.07.19: save, female
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
07.07.19, MS, Car at top of skyway headed north bound. Person in vehicle and not sure if vehicle broken down.

07.07.19, Rina K., facebook, Stuck at the top of the bridge. Jumper? later: They got her, Stopped her. Watched the police do an excellent job. The woman stood up to jump after talking and they pounced on her, getting her away from the edge. Thank God! I truly hope she gets the help she needs



07.07.19, Teresa M., facebook, Drove by a little while ago and saw the woman leaning over the bridge as if she was looking for something then saw a man standing outside his car also about 30-40 feet from her vehicle....wasn't quite sure what was going on.

07.07.19, anon, Hi I was just crossing the skyway and there was a car stopped right at the top and a woman with long light brown hair and a dress acting somewhat erratically.

07.10.19, Ben B., fbplugin, we were fishing below and saw the commotion and the stopped cars. USCG told us to stay away from middle span - we thought they may already be searching for a body. I imagine they were talking her off still at that point. We were not sure if someone already jumped and we did not see/hear it...SO VERY happy to read that they helped the woman and stopped it. Upsetting just thinking about it. i had my 12 year old with me.

any more info is welcome.
07.07.19, pinellascounty.org,
facebook article posts

• James D., fbplugin, So much unneeded deaths as many can enjoy finding that special someone or even a purpose to strive to live in this plane of consciousness even if you do not believe in religion l. You have power at your fingertips it's how you use it and help the human race for the better so that even centuries past they will still echo your name as the person who changed things that is why i live.

• Gene B., fbplugin, It is depression. Finding a special someone, giving the person a ton of money, or any of those other things does not fix the problem. If you have never battled depression, you will NEVER understand. It is NOT like a radio you can turn on and off. It does not work like that at all!!

Marie S., Thank God! I first reported when we saw her sitting in her car at the top and we were headed to a baseball game. I couldn't stop thinking about it. So happy she was saved. Hope she can get the help she needs.
.
07.04.19: possible jumper
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
07.04.19, Amy S., facebook, Just missed one crossing the skyway about 15/20 mins ago too 😢 later: this morning in the N bound lanes. My husband and I were heading south. The Sheriff was standing outside his SUV looking over the edge. My husband unfortunately sees it a lot with his job, he goes over that bridge a lot. Really hurts your soul even not know who they were. I cried the rest of the way across. Just horrible

any more info is welcome.
.
07.03.19: possible jumper, 12:25pm, male
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
07.03.19, Cp, Palmetto, (12:25pm, male), Drove by. White male standing at the side of the skyway next to a white Corolla wearing a dark gray shirt green shorts and white shoes. Traffic was backed up but no law enforcement was on scene yet. Not sure if he jumped or was talked down/changed his mind

07.04.19, James W., fbplugin, I drove by heading south, saw the car but nobody around. Called FHP at 12:47 which is way after 12:25 and it was the first FHP heard of it. People need to call *FHP whenever there is a car parked at the center span immediately unless it’s construction. Best case scenario it’s nothing but a broken down vehicle but you can’t chance it.

any more info is welcome.
.
07.03.19: possible jumper, 6:50am, male
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
07.03.19, Chris, St Pete, Possible jumper, Was heading southbound at the top of the bridge at 6:50am. There was a man in an orange Jeep Wrangler that was bent over the edge of the bridge. Two highway patrol officers were headed northbound to the top of the bridge.

any more info is welcome.
.
07.02.19: possible jumper, 9:45pm
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
07.02.19, Tim, Palmetto, 9:45pm southbound on skyway at top, police looking over side with a flashlight and just south of top they were loading a car on a flatbed.

any more info is welcome.
facebook article posts,
• 07.03.19, Chris B., The bridge was covered in cops last night around 945. I saw it from Anna Maria island
.
06.29.19: possible jumper
unknown
06.29.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1234, 1241, 0h7m

any more info is welcome.
.
06.27.19: save, female, 6:30pm
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
06.27.19, anon, facebook, 6:45 PM today. Female taken into custody under the Baker Act. Southbound lanes FHP took into custody and transferred to St. Pete PD for transport to medical facility




06.27.19, Lisa N., facebook, My husband came over the bridge about 10 minutes ago. Looks like there is a jumper on the southbound side

06.27.19, Jordan S., facebook, Looks like another jumper tonight at 7:17 pm. Ambulance and police on southbound

06.27.19, Lynn C., facebook, Looks like someone trying to jump. Emergency vehicles on bridge

06.28.19, Debby J., facebook, I was there. It was a lady. When i was driving up to the toll booth 2 police cars sped by me. When i got to the top of the bridge (southbound) the right lane was blocked by 3 police cars and 3 police officers were taking her to their car. So sad, but glad she was saved.


any more info is welcome.
facebook article posts
.
06.25.19: save, 8:30pm, male
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
06.25.19, Anna G., facebook, Lots of flashing red lights on top of the skyway - looks like southbound side. I live on AMI - Tampa Bay side later: Lights are gone and there were none on the water - so hopefully nothing

06.25.19, anon,



any more info is welcome.
06.25.19, pinellascounty.org,
.
06.24.19: jumper, 9:30am, male, died, hit water, body recovered same day
Luke Colson Carlisle, 30
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
06.24.19, Nicholas, Madeira Beach, (11ish am, hit water, died, body found), Friends with the charter boat captain who recovered the body. He was alive in the water but died on the boat. There was a family on vacation going fishing for the day and the jumper nearly hit the boat. Certainly a horrifying experience for all involved.

any more info is welcome.
06.24.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 0931, 1427, 4h56m
06.24.19, iontb/fb, Skyway: Watch for slowdowns atop the bridge. Civilian boat with individual.
comment from the article:
06.24.19, Bob S., Just now,
 Luke Colson Carlisle   Luke Colson Carlisle

facebook

obituary

mydeathspace.com
09.14.19, anon, I wanted to thank the family member that wrote the obit. One of very few if any that included he took his own life and the cause was mental illness. No one ever tells the truth, it is very refreshing to see that. My own step mom 10 years ago overdosed on sleeping pills and died, the reason the family gave was "heart problems". It is so sad truth cannot be told.

09.15.21, Sharon Carlisle, an excerpt from a themountaineer.com article, ··· Many of you know that Jack and I lost our sweet son Luke to suicide June 24, 2019. We have come to understand that the voices that tormented him so horribly the last months of his life (telling him the lies that he was unloved, unworthy of love and had never been loved) compelled him to jump from the Sunshine Skyway bridge to his death that June morning. If you know this already, then you know we have been very open about Luke’s struggles with schizophrenia and the failures of our health care and judicial system to help him and others afflicted by mental illness … and as importantly the stunning failure to help those who love and seek to secure help for their loved ones. ···

facebook article posts
.
06.23.19: jumper, 2:30am, died, hit the rocks, body recovered same day
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
06.23.19, Angie, Pinellas County, regarding: Possible jumper, I was heading to work this morning around 5:00 am and saw two officers on top of the bridge with a green Honda Element. No one else in sight.

06.23.19, Mark M., St. Pete., (06.23.19, 4:45am), Saw the car being towed from the top of the bridge. Many cops on both sides looking down.

06.23.19, T., St.pete, (2:00am, hit rocks, died, body found), Around 2am this morning I was fishing the rocks around the piles on the north side of the channel. I was on the northbound side of the skyway facing the southbound side. Out of nowhere I seen a large object fall from the top of the bride and heard the impact of it hitting the rocks. I circled the piles with my spot light but my boat sits to low to see the middle. Shortly after 1st responders showed then a helicopter.

any more info is welcome.
06.23.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 0232, 1210, 9h38m
06.23.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Another person took their own life overnight from atop the span of the bridge. Occurred from the southbound lanes about 2:30 a.m. Body was recovered.
facebook article posts
.
06.18.19: save, 8:08pm, male
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
06.18.19, DT, North skyway fishing pier, regarding: Possible jumper, Got ready to leave fishing pier and hear sirens speeding by, multiple FHP cars. they stopped at the top and I see traffic slowing down.

06.18.19, anon,
boats tend to jump into action, when they see the red and blues up at the top.

06.18.19,


06.18.19,


06.18.19, anon, hearing person taken into custody.

06.20.19, anon, Male on top of bridge talked down, cry for help really. No other info available.

any more info is welcome.
06.18.19, pinellascounty.org,
09.17.19, yoursun.com, Heros are recognized.
SARASOTA, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight recently presented awards during a ceremony to recognize employees and residents who demonstrated exemplary service to their community.
Attempted suicide
Detective Rafael Ortiz received the Life Saving award for his efforts to save the life of a man attempting suicide on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
On June 18, Ortiz was off-duty, heading home from Tampa International Airport. While driving, Ortiz came across a vehicle parked in the breakdown lane and nearby, a man standing at the ledge of the bridge.
Ortiz stopped his vehicle, began communicating with the man and was luckily able to gain his compliance, ultimately detaining him. At the same time, an off-duty St. Petersburg officer also arrived on scene.
Ortiz and the officer placed the man in the back of the officer’s patrol car until an FHP trooper arrived to take over the investigation.
The trooper’s report credits Ortiz with saving the life.
"I went to the subject’s vehicle and saw a suicide note addressed to his family," the report states. "I spoke with the subject who stated he wanted to jump off the bridge and kill himself… The Sarasota County Detective saved this gentleman’s life. If not for the Detective, the gentleman would have surely jumped off the bridge."
facebook article posts
.
06.08.19: jumper, 2:45pm, female, died, body recovered
Glenda Sue Cook, 50
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
06.08.19, Stacey L., facebook, Just read on the scanner site that a female jumped today and that her body has been recovered. Heartbreaking.

06.08.19, Anon, St. Pete, There is a green car at the top of the bridge, police and EMS on scene with the rescue squad in their boats at the bottom. Possibly someone jumped. So sad.

06.08.19, M K. S., Northbound over the bridge very slow.,


06.08.19, Rina KS, We passed over the bridge a short time ago.


06.09.19, Kevin F., Downingtown, regarding: 06.08.19 Skyway Jumper, While out for an afternoon boat ride around the Skyway Bridge, at 2:45pm a woman hit the water within 25 ft. of my boat as I passed under the center span. Within seconds we had her along side the boat, but it was clearly too late (I'll spare the details of her injuries). Called the USCG and secured a line to her body as not to let her sink away. USCG arrived about 25 min. later to recover the body. Very sad! Prayers for her and loved ones! (request to see video. mention 06.08.19.)

any more info is welcome.
06.08.19, flhsmv.gov/fhp,


06.08.19, pcsoweb.com,


06.08.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 1506, 1828, 3h22m
06.08.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Recreational boater with individual that jumped from the span of the bridge. First responders enroute. later: Deceased.
comment from the article:
06.08.19, George H., Wow this happen to me last Monday while fishing the sky way some one jumped off like 15 feet from my boat that sound will stay with me the rest of my life
facebook article posts,
• 06.08.19, Beth G., Too many times and sadly again I was crossing and witnessed people stopping and looking over the side. Please let’s figure this out. People need help 😢

• 12.07.20, Johnathon C., Kevin F. I saw your post when it all first happened. Forgive me for not saying something then but as you can know, it is a difficult thing to process and accept. I see there are still questions so I will try to give what closure I can. Her name was Glenda Sue Cook. She was 50 years old. She had been haunted her whole life by some very traumatic things that happened to her growing up. She also had some major drug abuse issues that culminated in this event. I want to say I am very sorry you had to be there but am grateful you did what you could for her.

• Michael C., fbplugin, In the past I have felt this desperate, I would always think of my daughter and how selfish it would be to hurt myself. I never feel that way anymore, if you need to talk to someone, please do it as soon as possible, it really helps. much love everyone. My condolences to his family, may God be with him.

• Kevin F., fbplugin, I was there! She hit the water within 25 ft. of my boat. Called the coast guard and secured a line to her until the USCG arrived to recover the body. Very sad!

• Betty H., fbplugin, That had to be awful ??sooo sad ...I live in Tierra verde /am sooo interested as to why ????god bless you for trying to be there for her ....I suppose it was good she went quick....I’ve heard how terrible.....I pray u are ok from witnessing ??????

• Kathy S., fbplugin, These people who feel there is no way out need a net to let them know "it is not your time, there is help for you". :(

• Christine W., fbplugin, I appreciate your sentiment. However, where is the help? Florida is second to last in spending on mental health services. As someone who has worked on getting "help" for nearly a decade now, I can assure you that the systems presently in place, are simply not effective for many people.
.
06.03.19: possible save, 11:52pm
unknown
06.03.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MENTALLY ILL PERSON/NON VIOLENT, 3839, SKYWAY BG, 2352, 0056

any more info is welcome.
.
06.03.19: jumper, 9:40am, male, died, body recovered same day
Robert Scott Frey, 57
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
06.03.19, Jason G., Saw this guy on south bound side a few minutes ago. later: my buddy listened to the dispatch and gave me the play by play while I spoke with the trooper. The boat 'Three C’s' recovered the man and he was alive for 20 minutes, once they put him on backboard and onto marine 11, he passed.


06.03.19, Eddie G., Southbound 9:55 AM....not sure? Cadillac Sedan at the top span of Southbound side. Fire truck headed up north side


06.03.19, Bill E., Skyway jumper. Recorded by DOT cameras. Searching the waters for a body. Note left in car located @ mid span.

any more info is welcome.
06.03.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Authorities working atop and below the bridge after reports of a suicide from the bridge. Recreational boater assisting. later: Body recovered comment from the article:
06.03.19, George H., I was down below fishing and looked up and saw them flying down
06.03.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 0943, 1606, 6h23m
  Robert Scott Frey

facebook.com

obituary

mydeathspace.com
facebook article posts,
• 06.03.19, Thomas F., I drove by as he made his decision to jump. He threw his legs over and was gone in an instant. It's easy to judge why people didnt stop or whatever if you weren't there. I would've stopped in a heart beat had I been passing by sooner, if traffic allowed. The traffic on the bridge was crazy at that time. I do wish someone could've talked to him. The image of him making that decision and jumping keeps playing in my mind. But, it happened so quickly all could to do was dial 911 and pray that he somehow survived. There wasn't even time to react before he was gone.

06.04.19, Joleen F., Skyway Bridge I thank you because thanks to your site and dedication a family member of mine decided to seek help when he had a plan in place for the next day to jump. He couldn’t bear to traumatize innocent people below. We knew he was sad but had know idea. To Daniel Frey, I’m so very sorry for your loss but going after the site is not the answer. I am thankful for the pictures because for my family member it made it so much more real than reading a statistic. Your brother may save a life going forward.

disagreement
.
05.30.19: article - FDOT re-examining barriers along Sunshine Skyway Bridge as push from the public grows.
.
05.23.19: possible jumper, female
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.23.19, Malisa R., facebook.com, Empty car at the top of the northbound span with 2 police cars looking over the side. Looks like another jumper.

05.23.19, anon,


05.24.19, Lisa, Polk, Was coming from Fort De Soto park, saw the car parked on the north side with a girl looking over the edge, police were racing to get to her in time but assuming last commentator was after the fact and the car was empty Im guessing she jumped.. it’s honestly traumatizing, i wish anyone who is feeling this way to please seek help. Ending your life is not the answer.

any more info is welcome.
• Terri M., fbplugin, hello undercover cars and come up with a better plan then to make the jumper feel like they have to escape from the red and blue flashing coming up the span, it seems encouragable...geeesh Praying for the lost souls...

• Christine W., fbplugin, The is little to no help for mental health ailments in Florida. Good luck if you aren't well insured with plemty of additional money to spend on deductibles, co-pays and medication. The suicide hotline is overwhelmed, and at best, provides the same information that can be obtained from a basic google search. Until Florida decides to improve its mental health care system, the suicides will continue.

• Elle J., fbplugin, As a person, even on medicaid.. the way that I have been treated by almost every "regular" doctor and hospital official has been appalling. Being mentally ill my whole life has been so HARD. Mental health advocacy and awareness is a key to a lot of this. I've been to the edge of bridges, metaphorically, many times. My family is the only thing to pull me back to my senses. We need better understanding from all doctors. To be mentally ill is like having a cancer of some sort, something you never can completely overcome. Doctors who "practice" psych medications are horrible and when you feel like they have let you down and you tell them, they shun you and release you from their practice. We need more doctors that are actually mentally ill, and I mean that. To be there is to know the pain.

• Christine W., fbplugin, Elle J. I hear you and know the thoughts and feelings well myself. While many people care, I think they also fail to understand mental illness is oftentimes for life. Mental illness is generally managed, not cured. People tend to shy away from the painful, dark, unpleasant realities of life, including mental illness. I hope you're able to find more compassionate, understanding professionals. For nearly ten years now, I continue to seek them out for myself, and haven't had much luck beyond a psychiatrist who is invaluable to me. I have limited resources and no coverage. Family and social supports are at least as valuable, as the medical professionals. I wish you well.
.
05.15.19: jumper, 7:10pm, male, dies, body recovered same day
Anthony Gary Deese, 36

   attention friends and family of Anthony Deese: we are sorry for your loss, but if you do not want to read disparaging remarks about him, stop here and leave this web page. do not come here to read things you do not want to read.
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.15.19, Emma, Saint Petersburg, FL., (7:00pm, male), Headed north bound over skyway bridge 5/15/19 around 7pm, SUV parked at the top, white male in white T-shirt standing by car. State trooper present. Southbound traffic stopped, saw 10-15 police vehicles headed south bound

05.15.19, Lindsay, St. Pete Beach, (6:57pm, male), Called 911 to report Car pulled off to the side at the top of the bridge. Driver was in leaning into passenger seat. Several police were heading toward the person.

05.15.19, Anonymous, St. Petersburg, FL., Going over the bridge, north bound around 7:20 PM. A lot of police on bridge, looking over the sides. A dark grey SUV on the side, on top of the bridge.

05.15.19,


05.15.19, Megan M., facebook, Abandoned car northbound on the skyway. Several cops trying to wave ships to stop from crossing under the bridge and several other state troopers looking down into the water. Several fire trucks and state troopers driving by now. Southbound is completely blocked now Tow truck is arriving on scene, police helicopter is circling the bridge. Somebody jumped. Police boat also seen.

05.15.19, Bill E., Apparent Skyway jumper. Pinellas 911 showing all usually equipment & boats sent for a jumper to grid 723s which is the center of the bridge. HCSO trying to respond with a marine unit.

any more info is welcome.
05.15.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1912, 0123, 6h11m
05.15.19, iontb/fbiontb.com, Skyway Bridge: land, air and marine assets on scene after reports of suicide from the span of the bridge. Use caution. later: Body recovered
comments from the article:
05.15.19, Joshua G., I looked right in his eyes he was smoking his last cig and then jumped. very sad.
05.15.19, Matthew W., He put a gun to my sisters head today and robbed her. Can’t say I feel bad. Glad he spared my sister who is a mother of two.

05.15.19, iontb/fbiontb.com, Man Commits Suicide From Skyway Bridge Following an Armed Carjacking in Pinellas Park
At approximately 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 a male subject jumped from mid-span of the Skyway Bridge.
Based on information obtained from multiple sources, the male subject has been identified as 36 year-old Anthony Deese.
Deese is being linked to an armed robbery which occurred at approximately noon today in front of the Wells Fargo Bank located at 7100 US Hwy 19 in Pinellas Park. He reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint stealing her vehicle. That woman’s brother posted on Facebook about being grateful that he did not take her life today.
It is suspected that Deese was also involved in an attempted carjacking Monday evening and the robbery of an 83 year-old woman outside a Seminole Publix in March.
Deese was sentenced to 5 years in prison back in 2014 on multiple charges of grand theft and burglary.

comment from the article:
 
•05.16.19, Theresa H., I feel sympathy for his victims only. He was dangerous, and his family or friends should have turned him in. No sympathy for him at all. Glad he saved the taxpayers some money.

less than two months ago:
03.24.19, iontb.com, At about 7:30 pm on March 24, 2019, an 83 year old woman was robbed of her purse as she exited her car at the Publix, located at 7880 113 Street N. in Seminole. The suspect possibly left in an early 2000s red, Chevrolet pick-up truck. He later attempted to use her debit cards at 2 separate locations.
At the ATMs, the suspect appears to be in his 20’s or 30’s wearing a Salt Life long sleeve shirt and a black FSU ball cap with mirrored sunglasses.
 
  Anthony Gary Deese

facebook.com facebook.com

multiple arrests

sheriff's charge reports:
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 

mydeathspace.com
facebook article postsdisagreement

05.17.19, Blair, Trout Creek, Canada, This thug robbed an 83 year old woman? Too bad he didn't impale himself on the mast of a sailboat when he jumped. (why do you hate sailboats?)

   opinion: if this guy would have carjacked pretty much anyone's family member with a gun and they had a chance to shoot him in the head instead, they likely would have done so. he was not a good guy and society will be better off without him.
   if you hate these comments, then go away. this was not your average, depression/pain based suicide. we have plenty of compassion for the suicidal that is battling personal demons. however, when their personal demons go all public in the form of criminality and violence against others with deadly weapons, our compassion fades away quickly. his suicide was apparently a result of him living a life of wanton criminality and he had no other way out of serving yet more time, other than jumping off the bridge. all those saying what a swell a guy he was, obviously hasn't had a chat with any number of his victims or their families.


• Domonique Q., fbplugin, Abby I love u so much girl keep ur head up in dont listen to what anyone has to say about it dad he was a good guy RIP TONY U WILL ALWAYS B MISSED

• Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, good guys do not treat society as he did. good guys do not affect his daughter the way he did. he will not be seen by most, as a good guy.

• Julie T., fbplugin, He was NOT a good guy. He robbed people at gunpoint...including women and elderly. Sick individual and I am glad he is off this planet. Keep hiding the truth from his daughter. It doesn't make him any less guilty.

• Kate A., fbplugin, Maybe she can send you the bill from her therapist as she tries to work through the reason people lied and said her dad was a good guy. Just remember the good guys are the ones that work for the possessions they own and don’t rob people (at gunpoint no less!).

• Melinda P., fbplugin, Some of you may not feel bad for his family but just imagine how is 16 year old daughter is feeling. No matter what that was still her Dad.

• Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, we do feel bad for her. he apparently has hurt her throughout her life, with his criminal lifestyle. he can not hurt her any longer.
.
05.06.19: jumper save, male
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.06.19, Jayson, Ruskin, fl., This morning the bridge was shut down cause of a male trying to jump off the nb lanes, my wife was there when he attempted to jump and an officer grabbed him by the shirt and about 20-30 other officers tackled him. Luckily he didn’t make it over, not for lack of trying. Of course this all happened while my wife was trying to get our toddler to all childrens.

05.06.19, anon, Palmetto, (7:35am, male), Pray please another jumper this morning. High police activity on the skyway bridge just now 7:35am. Young Latino man small red car south bound. At least 16-20 are trying talk him down. Please pray for this individual and that they succeed.

05.06.19, Marge S., St. Pete, FL., Drove past a ton of police, fire, ambulances, etc trying to talk a man off the top of the bridge this morning. Shut down the southbound lanes, I was going north. Guy looked like a white dude in his 30s, red car. Anybody know if they got him down?

05.06.19,


05.06.19, German G.,


any more info is welcome.
05.06.19, pinellascounty.org,


05.06.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 0722, 1054, 3h32m

05.06.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, ASSIST OTHER AGENCY, SKYWAY BG, 1100, 1101, 0h1m
05.06.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Expect delays as emergency personnel speak with subject on the top of the span. later: Reports of all southbound lanes closed later: Subject is now safely in custody
comment from the article:
05.06.19, Kim S., Just passed the top of the Skyway about 1 minute ago. There was a man in the middle of the lanes who was surrounded by police. he quickly ran towards the edge and I saw the cops tackle him to the ground.

05.06.19, wfla.com, TRAFFIC ALERT! The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has reopened, traffic is slow-moving through the area in both directions following an incident on the bridge. Please avoid the Skyway ("an incident")

05.06.19, bradenton.com, Sunshine Skyway Bridge reopened after police activity blocked lanes during morning rush
One side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was shut down for about an hour early Monday due to police activity, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Southbound lanes were shut down before 8 a.m. and were reopened by 8:45 a.m.
Florida 511 traffic maps showed major delays in the area in both north and southbound lanes. ("police activity")

05.06.19, fox13news.com, Police activity caused southbound closure on Sunshine Skyway Bridge
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FOX 13) - At the height of the morning rush hour, police activity closed the southbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Both directions had blockage, but the biggest impact was in the southbound lanes where traffic has completely halted. Multiple units were on hand at the hump of the bridge. The closure lasted for nearly an hour.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers reopened the southbound lanes around 8:30 a.m., and traffic slowly began flowing again. ("police activity")

05.06.19, facebook/likebn9, #TrafficAlert: SB on the Skyway Bridge was shut down this morning due to a man threatening to jump. Thankfully, first responders were able to stop the man. FHP said the bridge should reopen shortly.
05.06.19, Christina F., facebook plugin, this morning there was an older man at the crest of the bridge looking over the edge... hands wide on the edge... rocking back and forth. Didn't look like he was concerned about his car. Looked like he was having a bad morning. Wonder if he was family or a friend of the girl who jumped yesterday. So sad.

facebook article posts

• Vivienne P., fbplugin, I was on bridge for that hour and 30 minutes... So glad they helped him my heart has been broken all day...

• Michael G., fbplugin, Viva Equilibrio--- I have had a hard life and my share of dashed hopes and I have been in the basement of the BASEMENT of despair more than a few times and although I have never been suicidal, I can understand how the journey is made to that point. But we must all of us pay CLOSER attention to those around us (those we know and those we might just see on the periphery) giving of not so subtle and very often VERY SUBTLE warning signs...Love to all!
• Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, it's nice to see that you are able to cope with what life has thrown at you and in doing so, telling others that they can too. thank you and keep on keeping on. people do need to keep an eye on others.
• Michael G., fbplugin, Absolutely. Be Well!
.
05.05.19: possible jumper, male
unknown
05.08.19, JoAnn M., Bradenton, FL, 5/5/19 unknown male, my friends were on the bridge when they saw the man & they ran to try & save him but he jumped anyway, this was in the afternoon the same day as the girl Jasmine it seems.

any more info is welcome.
.
05.05.19: jumper, 10:00am, female, hit water, died, body found same day
Jasmine Bloom Fraser, 26
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.05.19, N., Around 10-10:30 am today, passed an ambulance with lights flashing which suddenly went off. I was heading towards Bradenton, ambulance was on opposite side. Just beyond the apex of the bridge on opposite side were police, a car, and people looking over the bridge.

05.05.19, Gert M., St Pete., Around 10 am, northbound lane, empty silver sedan at top of bridge......people pulled over looking down and on their cell phones. Saw EMS and fire dept heading to bridge about 3-5 mins later. Anyone know any info?

05.05.19, Anonymous, This morning while crossing the bay, the Coast Guard issued an alert to be on the look out and assist if possible for a person in the water. Long Blond Hair/Maroon Shirt in the vicinity of the Skyway Bridge. As we got closer to the center span we could see emergency vehicles at the top of the bridge. We could also see a fishing boat directly under the bridge. The emergency vehicles proceeded south down the bridge and the fishing boat came up on plane. We were behind the fishing boat heading north up the channel as fire rescue approached. The people on the fishing boat are hero's if the person made it or not. The man on the boat was giving the person CPR non stop. It is unfortunate there were children on the fishing boat.

05.05.19, Boater, Odessa, (11:00am, body found), Saw Firsthand

05.05.19, Patti, Zephyrhills, fl., (10:00am, female, hit water, died, body found), I was the boat that was fishing when she jumped. It was a very tragic day for all of us on the boat. My kids witnessed something they should have never seen. The rescue workers were great and we are glad we could assist with getting the body of the young girl out of the water. Hopefully her family and friends will find closure. May she Rest In Peace (sad that you and your children were put through this. precisely what we have been saying about the private vs. public suicide. we hope you cope.)

 any more info is welcome.
05.05.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1006, 1008, 0h2m

05.05.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, DECEASED PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 1001, 1749, 7h48m
05.05.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Expect delays as first responders on and below the bridge after reports of a suicide attempt. Recreational boater assisting. later: Confirmed deceased. comment from the article:
05.05.19, Ken N., It is northbound, I drove by and saw a girl sitting on the edge of the bridge three-quarters up the ramp. Blonde-haired 20-something. I was in the left lane could not pull over in time. But, I saw a car pull over to try and help. I called 911 and prayed. It seems the worst of my fears have been confirmed. May God wrap his arms of Grace and healing around her family.
 Jasmine Bloom Fraser   Jasmine Bloom Fraser

facebook.com

obituary

mydeathspace.com


the 11.29.15 motorcycle accident.
05.06.19, Anon, Bradenton, I knew the deceased. She was struggling with serious issues from brain damage. She was in a motorcycle accident with her boyfriend many years ago, they were riding together, he died and she survived but never fully recovered. She was in a lot of pain dealing with the trauma ane brain damage. I hope she finds peace.

05.06.19, Susie F., Longboat key, Florida, Jasmine had no clue that boat and family was anchored under that bridge! From her vantage that would not have even been in her siteline. Our family is devastated by this loss and saddened this family was exposed. We are grateful for aid given by the father and husband on boat. Jasmine had Traumatic Brain Injury plus too many other serious injuries to list from an accident 3+ years earlier where she was a passenger and the driver died. We thought she was going to die then. She never recovered and was continually in tremendous emotional, mental and physical pain. She was not well. She was very sick and I would think one would know when one kills themselves jumping from a bridge she was NOT thinking rationally! This was not an executed well planned event. It was an impulse act in a moment of temporary insanity that has permanent consequences. I am exhausted and I can only pray others are more compassionate if any ones loved ones out there are hurting and in despair. Jasmine didn’t get a gun and take out innocent bystanders in a grand finale, she just wanted to die in that moment in I’m sure what she considered her own private end.

05.07.19, Patti, Zephyrhills, fl., This has been a terrible thing. My son is not handling it well at all. He is 15 and saw her hit the water and then watched our friend give her CPR but she was already passed. He is going to a therapist on Thursday. What an awful way to die. It's an image I won't soon forget. We may need signs around the bottom of the bridge in the water warning boaters of possible jumpers. I know that sounds cold but never in my wildest dreams would have imagined this could happen. (what you and yours went through that day is exactly why we say skyway suicides can be selfish. it's ok if someone wants to end their life, fine, have at it. however, dragging innocent people into your end of life performance and leaving them with a lifelong traumatic experience is selfish. we wish you and your son well. 15 is not an easy age to navigate the way it is, much less having to cope with something like this. luckily, she missed the boat entirely and no one else was injured. your idea of signs below the bridge is a good one. boaters need to be aware. we're surprised no one has slammed into a boat yet, but there have been close calls.)

05.28.19, Marsi L., facebook.com/MyDeathSpace, Those pissed about the person upset that they were nearly hit by someone committing suicide in a public area and discussing how traumatic seeing it was watch The Bridge. Jesus h Christ I can't imagine the pain involved for the families losing loved ones to suicide or the distress and horror of seeing a person commit suicide right in front of you. Why do the people doing this spare their loved ones the sight of their death but do it where innocent strangers get to witness the outcome? Depression is horrifying but for every depressed individual there are the selfish narcissists that punish the world for their misery.

facebook article posts,
• 05.06.19, John P., I saw her get out of the car and run around as I was coming up on her car with the hazards on. I saw her run around the car and climb over the concrete side wall. It happened so quick. I thought about this kid for the whole day hoping they didn’t jump. Sad day to hear she took her own life.

• 05.06.19, Michael D., My wife drove by at the time she was ready to jump and stopped to help but it was too late. She looked her right in the eye and still can't get that picture out of her head. Horrifying.

• 05.06.19, Patti D., My family and my friends were the boat that was almost hit by this jumper. She not only took her life but traumatized the 7 of us including our 3 children. None of us slept last night because this unknown stranger decided to end her life. It saddens me that she was at her all time low but the people she leaves behind are left to deal with the pain. This is an image I won’t soon forget, nor will my husband and his friend who pulled her lifeless body from the water but tried CPR just in case. I can tell you, this is no way to die. I hope the family is able to find closure.

• 05.07.19, Marti D., I drove by right at around 10 A.M. I did not see her get out of the car and I did not see her actually jump...I must have driven by right in the middle of those two things... but when I drove by, she was sitting on the edge. I was unable to stop because there was traffic congestion and people tailgating like crazy. I was looking in my rearview mirror to see what was going on but she was out of my view fairly quickly. I could not get this young lady out of my head all day on Sunday and am so heartbroken that she went through with it. Thinking of her family.

• 05.08.19, Patti D., The flood of emotions from this event has been overwhelming. My friends and I are worried about our boys who had to witness this. We are taking them to counseling tomorrow. I am so angry right now I can’t see straight. I keep thinking I will wake up from this nightmare and I can’t because it is now my life. Lord knows I did not ask for this as neither did my friends and their kids.

• Marlee M., fbplugin, To the people who witnessed with tragic event, i get it.. that is something that no one wants to see or have their children witness either but for the love of god have some compassion! You constantly commented on this thread about how angry you are making her death all about you. Out of all the people who could have been in your position that day i wish it were someone else who had a little more compassion for the victim.. and let me remind you that YOU are not the victim here. Be thankful that you all get to wake up everyday and still hug your loved ones.. you are all alive and well. Yes, you saw something that is not an easy thing to see but again, you are all still alive and well.. remember that. You are making Jasmine out to be a selfish, awful person but you did not know her OR anything she was going through. She was an amazing young lady who unfortunately was dealing with extremely difficult things. If you knew her you would maybe have a little more heart towards this event. Her intent was not to hurt you or anyone else, she could not even see your boat in her site. Please just have a little more compassion for her. I am sorry your family and children had to be there and i hope you all have gotten to heal from this event but feel blessed you are all still here with each other, jasmines family and friends do not have the same privilege. God bless.

• Lisa P., fbplugin, when people are in the frame of mind to commit suicide they are not thinking rationally. They are not thinking of the loved ones they are leaving behind. They are not thinking of any person who may witness the event. They are only trying to stop the pain and get rid of the demons that have plagued their mind. I know it is horrible to watch something like this happen however as bad as it is for you, it is thousands times worse for the person trying to end their life. Unless you have been there yourself, you cannot imagine what goes through their minds. Be thankful that you have not had to deal with the pain and anxiety of that magnitude!

• Sean P., fbplugin, Why do people boat under a bridge that's known fore suicides but then complain when they see someone commit suicide? Why would you even risk exposing yourself or your kids to that? That's kind of dumb.

• Lisa G., fbplugin, The boaters are clearly not compassionate. And not real bright either.

• Gene B., fbplugin, Ok, I don't even live near this bridge or even in the state, and I know that there have been countless jumps. How can a family, who obviously lives there, did not know this simple fact? Why would you position yourself under a bridge when you know it is known for jumpers??? I am not all on the sympathy band wagon for this family, it is NOT about them! They are still here! My concern is more about this young girls family. I am sending love and thinking of them.

• Lisa G., fbplugin, They really make themselves look all about the limelight. Without a single thought to the mother

• Susan V., fbplugin, How sad a n ending for someome who opened a fb account fund for National Suicide Prevetion in zJnuary. May she be at peace, and may her family and friends have the strength to move forward in her remembrance. Suicide is painful for all involved, God bless the victims and their survivors.
.
05.04.19: jumper, female, hit water, died, body found same day
Sabrina Schaeffer, 20
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.04.19, Santa C., Tampa, Someone needs to check the bottom of the bridge. I thought I saw a teenage girl up there last night

05.05.19, Apryl E., iontb/fb, Sadly, my husband and his nephew just recovered a body from near the Skyway yesterday morning during the KOTB fishing tournament. No news about it anywhere! We still don't know if she had jumped, who she was, nothing. My heart is breaking for the family of this unknown woman.

05.05.19, anon, Largo, fl., My daughter supposably jumped off the bridge on 5/4/19 early a.m. under investigation anybody with an facebook: Sabrina Schaeffer, 20y old pinellas. The families in disbelief in a white Ford focus approximately 5 ft 2 about 115 lb and shoulder length dark hair if anybody seen anything possibly please contact us with any information sat early a.m. possibly between 2 and 4 a.m.??? later: On 5/4/19 between 1:30a.m.-3a.m. there was a guy with her in a white Ford focus maybe foul play

06.01.19, anon, Yes, she was found under the skyway bridge deceased. later: There was a body found by a fisherman and his nephew the morning of 5/4/19. Hillsborough county is handling the case due to the circumstances. Sabrina and a Male "friend" drove to the skyway made a pact to jump together she jumped he didn't, however he drove her car near his apt. in Tarpon Springs without reporting her jumping. It's a very bizarre situation.

any more info is welcome.
05.04.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, ASSIST OTHER AGENCY, SKYWAY BG, 0821, 1353, 5h32m

05.04.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 0856 ,0859, 0h3m
 Sabrina Schaeffer   Sabrina Schaeffer

facebook.com

mydeathspace.com
01.29.22, Jennifer J., I lost My 20 yr old cousin. She was found deceased under the bridge in 2019. Rip Sabrina

facebook article posts,
• Julie T., fbplugin, A little confused. On 5/4, Santa C said that a girl was missing. On 5/5, Apryl shared they found a body of a female. Have these two people not corresponded? Can you ask for an update from Santa C?
  Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, we are confused as well. keep in mind most of our reports are anonymous and/or there are no methods of contact. we rely on you the people to supply info. however, at times the info is all over the place, mixed up, and/or confused with other incidents. it's not like the authorities get with us and update. as such, we post everything we get and hope someone can offer clarity. read this website even a little, and you'll see that many incidents are listed as 'possible', as what you see is all we have. fyi, santa c. would likely be an alias, as in santa claus, and they left no method of contact.
  Apryl E., fbplugin, In response there has been no verification that the girl found by my husband was Sabrina. He has been in contact with the Detective, but they will not release any information to him. Sabrina's family members have reached out, but without definitive clarification from the authorities I would hate to assume that it was their loved one.
  Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, we never claimed that the body your husband found was Sabrina. we posted that day's skyway reports that we received and said directly that "we have no idea if this body was a result of a skyway suicide". that's why the heading for 05.04 is listed as a "possible jumper mystery", with no claim made that there was even a jumper that day. however, according to the Hillsborough Sheriff, there was a suicide attempt on the morning of 05.04. we may never know exactly what happened and who the players are/were.
  Apryl E., fbplugin, I apologize if my post came across that you were making any claim. I think my frustration at not receiving clarification may have come across misdirected. I was honestly just trying to provide an update to Julie's post and will do so again should we receive any clarification to you and your viewers/readers.
  Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, we appreciate all your help and thank you for it. sorry for any confusion.
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05.01.19: save, male
unknown, 31
thank you, jumpsave reporter:
05.01.19, Ray P., St. Petersburg, Fl., (01:00am, male, was stopped from jumping), Off duty deputy and FHP trooper stopped 31 white, male, veteran from jumping southbound.
06.27.19, fox13news.com, Off-duty Manatee Co. deputy stops man from jumping off Skyway Bridge,
TERRA CEIA, Fla. (FOX 13) - A Manatee County deputy saved a suicidal man from possibly jumping from the Skyway Bridge.
"There was a reason I was there. There was a reason why he was there and it worked out," said Deputy Tara Barge.
Manatee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Tara Burge was off duty May 1. She and a friend were driving over the Skyway Bridge when she saw a man walking up the bridge, naked.
Clearly, something was very wrong.
"He just said he wanted to die he was ending his life, he wanted to die. It was too late, please leave him alone," Burge recalled.
Despite her best efforts, he put both hands on the ledge and was about to jump. That's when deputy Barge made a request.
"I said, ‘Give me your phone. Let me have your phone so I can at least get ahold of your mom since I'm going to be the last person that sees you alive,'" Burge said. "He lifted one hand off the bridge and went to hand me the phone and I just took the opportunity. I grabbed his wrist, and grabbed him away from the bridge, and said I'm not going to let you do this. I cannot let you do this."
Eventually, an FHP trooper arrived to take over.
"The thing that was on my mind, I couldn't imagine this happening to somebody's son," Burge said.
This week, Burge was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for her bravery and quick thinking.
"We're all here for a reason. We can all do something to help somebody and that's the greatest feeling in the world," she said.
Earlier that night, Burge recalled it took her a few extra minutes to find a parking spot. Those minutes possibly put her in the right place at the right time to save the man's life.

06.28.19, wtsp.com, Deputy recognized for stopping man from jumping from bridge.
An off-duty Florida deputy is being recognized for saving a man’s life.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said Tara Burge was driving up the Sunshine Skyway Bridge when she saw an empty vehicle and a man walking to the bridge top.
Burge drove up to the man and tried to start talking to him, but he didn’t answer, according to the sheriff’s office.
Burge told her passenger to call 911 while she got out of the vehicle to talk to the man.
The sheriff’s office said Burge pleaded with the man not to jump, but he was determined to.
In a last try to get the man not to jump, she asked for his cellphone so she could call his family to tell them what happened, law enforcement said. When he started to hand over his phone, she pulled him away from the ledge and held him until Florida Highway Patrol troopers showed up.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office awarded Burge with their Distinguished Service Award for the bravery she showed while she was off-duty.
If you have suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. And, there is help available. Contact the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

any more info is welcome.
.
04.30.19: possible jumper, 10:48am
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
04.30.19, Debra C., Bradenton, I noticed a white van at the top of the Skyway southbound at 10:48 am this morning on April 30th. Please check it out.

04.30.19, Kevin T., facebook, White van at top of southbound lanes with FHP talking to guy. Not sure what’s going on. This was at 11:05 AM.

any more info is welcome.
.
04.18.19: possible jumpers
unknown
04.18.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MISSING PERSONS - ADULT ENDANGERED, SKYWAY BG, 0211, 0637, 4h26m

04.18.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MISSING PERSONS - ADULT ENDANGERED, SKYWAY BG, 0837, 1526, 6h49m

any more info is welcome.
.
04.17.19: jumper, male, hit water, died, body found next day
Dennis Charles Lane, 57
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
04.20.19, John D., St Pete., (04.17.19), message: Dennis Lane jumped late Wednesday 4/17/19. His body was found Thursday.
He suffered from depression for decades. After the passing of his mother and recently his father, his depression deepened.
Dennis leaves behind two adult children, one grandchild, three sisters, and several loving friends and family.

any more info is welcome.
 Dennis Lane   Dennis Charles Lane

facebook.com

facebook.com/fundraiser
for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

mydeathspace.com
facebook article posts,
• 04.24.19, Laura S., his name was Dennis. A father of 2 & a grandfather of 1. Had 3 sisters, one including my mother. He suffered with depression for most of his life yet he had a smile that could light up a room and a sense of humor that always filled everyone with laughter.

• 04.25.19, Robyn A., Laura, thank you for sharing part of his story. I lost a loved one to suicide three years ago. She was so much more than a mere statistic. Like your uncle, she was loved by many and touched many lives. It’s often those who burn twice as bright, burn half as long. Rest In Peace, Dennis.
.
04.14.19: possible jumper(s), time unknown
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
04.14.19, cee, Skyway, I just crossing the Skyway heading south. A small blue sedan was parked on top. Just as I was passing, 2 people, Male and female, exits the vehicle and walked to the edge. I called 911 immediately who transferred me to highway patrol. Praying it was just sightseers!

any more info is welcome.
04.14.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, REFER - FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, SKYWAY BG, 0227, 0228, 0h1m

04.14.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, REFER - FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, SKYWAY BG, 1819, 1821, 0h2m
.
04.11.19: possible jumper
unknown
04.11.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1913, 1921, 0h8m

any more info is welcome.
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04.01.19: jumper, 2:11pm, male, hit water, survived, condition unknown
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
04.01.19, Cat J., Jumper in grave condition transported to hospital

04.01.19, Lee, Jasper, FL., (3:45pm), Just saw on twitter something about an "object" being pulled from the Skyway and that a lane was shutdown, possible jumper?

04.01.19, Beth B., facebook.com,


04.01.19, Zachary H., facebook.com, Went into cardiac arrest and had abdominal problems.

04.02.19, Eric O., fbplugin, We saw the guy jump. Time was between 211pm and 214pm. We were in a boat on the west side of the bridge, taking pictures of the bridge when I noticed a car stopped on the bridge. A person walked in front of their car, climbed over, and just walked off the edge. No hesitation. We called 911 and went to the area. A boat on the east side of the bridge found the guy.

any more info is welcome.
04.01.19,


04.01.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1425, 2010, 5h45m
04.01.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: Reports of a subject just pulled from the water after jumping from the bridge. Expect emergency vehicles in the area. later: Recreational boater picked and brought to first responders at marina. Very grave condition and enroute to the hospital. comment from the article:
04.02.19, Kyle P., I was on the boat that pulled the subject out of the water and another person on the boat administered CPR he was breathing when we got him to paramedics, I hope he is ok.
facebook article posts,
• 04.02.19, Concetta R., Sadly, I saw the van parked there (while driving by) as the police approached...looking over the edge...glad they survived.

• Eric O., fbplugin, We saw the guy jump. Time was between 211pm and 214pm. We were in a boat on the west side of the bridge, taking pictures of the bridge when I noticed a car stopped on the bridge. A person walked in front of their car, climbed over, and just walked off the edge. No hesitation. We called 911 and went to the area. A boat on the east side of the bridge found the guy.
.
03.30.19: possible jumper, 8:45pm
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
03.30.19, Doug H., facebook, Police at top of bridge looking down to water. About 8:45pm tons of police passes us on our way to top of bridge.

any more info is welcome.
.
03.21.19: possible save, 02:27pm
unknown
03.21.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, MENTALLY ILL PERSON/VIOLENT, 3839, SKYWAY BG, 1427, 1433

any more info is welcome.
.
03.19.19: possible jumper, 9:00pm
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
03.19.19, Justin, St. Petersburg, (9:00pm), I just drove by an abandoned car on the north bound side. Police were shining flashlights in and around the vehicle.

03.19.19, Chrissi D., fbplugin, I was southbound and saw the same thing. Was wondering if someone had jumped.

any more info is welcome.
.
02.16.19: jumper, 12:00pm, male, died, body found
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
02.16.19, esp, st pete, (male, died, body found), Pinellas 911 web site.

02.16.19, Bill E., Person just jumped off of the Skyway. All usual 'jumper' response units enroute. Nothing further dispatched. later: Body recovered by fisherman & brought to a marina. Now detectives are involved. FWC Now has the body.

04.07.19, Mike T., facebook, ···Unfortunately I was driving back from Bradenton to Tampa a few weeks ago and spotted a van stop on top and a man jumped out of it it and leaped - this took an entire 3 seconds- I did not know the guy - he was the first suicide this year from the bridge per Skyway Bridge - it still makes me sick to my stomach···

any more info is welcome.
02.16.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUICIDE ATTEMPT, SKYWAY BG, 1207, 1807, 6h00m
02.16.19, iontb/fb, Skyway Bridge: First responders enroute to the bridge after multiple reports received of a person who jumped from southbound mid span lanes. Expect delays. comment:
• Scott H., Just drove by. White work van parked. Police behind it
facebook article posts,
• 02.16.19, Barbara H., Yep...around that time I heard the familiar siren from first responders headed that way - it's a different sound and I get a sinking feeling when I hear it. It's such a beautiful day today too. RIP whoever you are. Praying for their loved-ones.

• 06.08.19, Mike T., Makes me ill - saw the first one 2019 2/16 - ? - made me sick - he jumped out and went - 5 seconds max

• Dave T., fbplugin, Yea what would it take to build a 8 foot chain link fence with a contraption on the top denying one to go over? Not sure whats the cost to recover a body, fuel, labor,paper work, ect.. I'm sure a barrier would pay for it's self and not only that but save the lives of those who immediately regret jumping. I'm sure tax payers would mind paying a few xtra dollars a year, to save what could be there loved one!

• Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, the FDOT insists that such a structure would be incompatible with their bridge inspection arm. that's why we keep bringing up the ESR.

• Mike C., fbplugin, Okay I get the idea there, and I'm sure it would be literally shocking to the first few people who attempt to jump and get shocked. That said, once this is public knowledge, what's to stop someone from just using some thick rubber gloves to grab the rail? You must understand the nature of people, if theres a will theres a way.. Is this AC? I'm assuming so, but regardless, what's to stop someone from using a concrete block as a wedge so the bar would jam and not energize the rail at all? Or use jumper cables to provide a better path to ground from the rail, which I'd assume wouldn't be too hard.. I mean it might stop a few people, but it's not like breaking out of jail here. Personally I think if someone is dead set on jumping, than this would be a waste of money, and easily circumvented, at least from the sketches I've seen on the prototype. What would the cost of this be, and would it stop enough potential jumpers to save money, and lives is what it comes down to, and I've got some doubts about that. My 2 cents..

• Mike C., fbplugin, And how high would this be? Couldn't someone climb on the roof of their car, and just jump over it? I think I've got a better idea for this, but it would be a bit more sophisticated and costly.

• Skyway Bridge, fbplugin, sure, your points are valid, someone could leap over it or be prepared with gloves, bricks, a grounding cable, or even bring a ladder. the notion of the ESR is in lieu of anything else. FDOT says, "no fence!", due to the lack of inspection capability. ok, so we need something that allows inspection. how about nets? well, nets are out as well. we believe the ESR would stop most jump attempts, not all of them. it would at least give the troopers more arrival time. some of those thwarted by the ESR, will definitely find other ways to circumvent the device or drive off and find another way to achieve room temperature. until something better comes along, we will continue to suggest the ESR, flaws and all. we are not closed off to any other ideas and are curious to hear yours. write them to us. that goes for everyone. all ideas are welcome.

• Mike C., fbplugin, Has FDOT said how high this rail can be? I personally don't have the capital to even try and prototype something like this, but if fast response time is something high on the priority list, it seems like setting up a little laser line on the shoulder, possibly coupled with the ESR idea would give them instant knowledge of an issue, regardless of a jumper or a broken down vehicle. Again if the rail is too low it wouldn't stop someone jumping off the roof of their car though. And I'm sure youd get false alarms, but with existing cameras you'd be able to see the area of the laser grid that's broken and identify a possible issue. Just a thought. I have other ideas also. I'm not sure how pinpoint accurate these things are, but what about a LRAD (sonic weapon) ? If a laser line was broke, and software was made to direct someone observing the bridge to the area of interest, you could probably stop someone from even trying to jump off the roof of their car that way. Assuming you could hit the target precisely without causing a massive traffic accident. Again, I dont have the money or software design knowledge to develop this, but I think this needs to have more redundancy than a electric rail. Lasers are easily shut off if inspectors are doing work, and a sound weapon is something that you'd only activate if needed. I'm sure those could all be integrated together, and software made to direct the sound weapon to the heat signature of the potential jumper, and then the person watching the bridge would only need to activate the sonic weapon in the event the person is going to attempt to jump. I dont know how feasible that is, but sonic type weapons definitely work, and if can be pinpointed for the most part, I would think if you put all those in place you would probably be much closer to the stopping like 99% of jumpers realistically. As I said this would probably be fairly costly, but probably pay for itself fast in the reduction of money spent on recovery. I apologize this post is kind of all over the place, but that's just my nature.. I can think of other ideas still, but I'll just stop here for now.

• Latoya J., fbplugin, Everything you said makes PerFect Sense ??!!.. I'm going to start a petition to see if we the "people" can keep fighting for this!..it needs to be done.!.and the agrument that they will just find other means to do it doesn't fly because that DOESN'T mean they might as hell just use bridge!.it's sad and something needs to be done!!.it won't hit the people on the board until this haoohap to one of their Loved ones!!!????
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01.31.19: possible jumper
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
01.31.19, anon, (3:10am, female, hit water, died, body not yet found)

any more info is welcome.
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01.30.19: possible jumper
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
01.30.19, kevin, st pete, (12:00pm), Several police and red Toyota at the top, no one around other than small red car south bound around noon

any more info is welcome.
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01.13.19: jumper save, 12.50pm, male
thank you, jumpnews reporters:
01.13.19, LRallu, St. Petersburg, Florida, Possible jumper, I drove over the Skyway Bridge just now about 15 minutes ago heading northbound saw that a vehicle was parked less than a quarter away from the middle of the bridge was fishing with boyfriend earlier noticed a bunch of boat activity under the bridge from the local PD's and FWC can anyone confirm

01.13.19, Sue, Tampa, FL., (1:00pm, male), Emergency teams were responding as the man had one leg draped over the southbound side as I passed by on the northbound side. Unsure of outcome.

01.13.19, Kimberly B., fbplugin, 1/13/19 current jumper on southbound side

01.13.19, Larry M., twitter, Happening Now - police activity on the #SkywayBridge, traffic blockage is occurring, prepare for delays. (includes video)

01.13.19,


01.13.19, Tom V., facebook,




any more info is welcome.
01.13.19, Hillsborough Sheriff, SUSPICIOUS PERSON, SKYWAY BG, 1254, 1305, 0h11m
01.13.19, iontb/fb, Appears troopers saved a suicidal man from the top of the Skyway. Backup reported in both directions.

01.13.19, wfla.com/facebook, Trooper saves man from jumping off Sunshine Skyway Bridge,
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) - A trooper prevented a suicidal man from jumping off of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
At about 1 p.m., the agency got a call about a "suspicious person" standing on the wall of the bridge on the northbound lanes of the roadway.
FHP trooper Tabarie Sullivan arrived at the scene and saw the man on a concrete barrier.
"He had no shirt on and he was drinking a Dr. Pepper," Sullivan told WFLA.
The man had one leg dangling off of the bridge and his other foot planted on the roadway.
Sullivan approached the man and began talking him down from the wall.
"I told him, 'Sir, please don't do it. Don't do it today, you have more to live for.' He explained to me, 'No, actually, I don't'," the officer recalled.
The man told Sullivan that he had recently accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and "was completely okay," with ending his life.
"He had recently got an injunction with his wife and kids, so he was not able to see him and he would be completely okay with jumping off the Skyway Bridge to commit suicide," Sullivan remembered the man saying.
Sullivan said he offered a listening ear and asked if there was anything he could do to help.
"We just talked a little bit about life. I'm also married, I have a kid as well, so we discussed that. We laughed and joked," the trooper said.
After a few minutes, the officer noticed the man had his other leg back over the barrier.
"I knew that was my chance then, so at that point, I just jumped on him, and I pinned him down and I waited," Sullivan said.
Captain Richard Benton, an off-duty trooper happened to be passing by on the bridge and stopped to help Sullivan get the man off of the wall.
"Both were able to successfully detain the subject without incident," Sergeant Steve Gaskins said in an e-mail to WFLA.
Gaskins did not provide any further information regarding the man's condition.
"The entire time I'm thinking, I cannot let this man jump off this bridge. He needs to understand there is more to live for and this too will [sic] pass," Sullivan said.
01.13.19, Jessica S., facebook, We was on the bridge when the jumper attempted to jump! Hopefully the man can get the help he needs. I was videoing thinking it was a crash.. the man was smiling at the guy who saved him it was so sad!

   it's great that trooper Sullivan was able to get to the man and prevent yet another jumper. it's also good to see the media report the incident. many news venues picked up the story and reported the win. sadly, they do not report the ones that got away. it's akin to going overboard in reporting the win of a local sports team with the 1-12 record. the big picture is hidden behind the silence of the losses, hiding them as if they never happened. in our opinion, reporting the losses would perhaps get more done to stop them. again, thank you trooper Sullivan, good job, be well, and stay safe.

facebook article posts

• Terry D., fbplugin, Despite 2018 being a record year for suicides on the bridge, it's very encouraging to know that 2019 thus far has kept the number at zero. I often wish I knew the backstories behind the jumpers. How many of these folks are wanting to escape the excruciating,horrific pain, and withdrawals of chronic pain, because our medical communiity who was providing relief to these people for many years or decades, suddenly began denying them access to the medications that made it possible for them to lead a normal life. In many cases this was a unilateral decision made without any advance notification whereby allowing those patients the opportunity to seek out another health care provider. Many, especially those without H/C insurance become so desperate that they hit the streets in search of relief. This is a chilling thought since no one knows what they're getting from unregulated, unsupervised ,illicit & illegal purchases. Sadly many will O.D.,out of despair some will turn to a life of crime to obtain and satisfy a demand that their flesh puts on them. Many unable to access or obtain the regulated or illicit drugs will become like those who bailed out of the burning Twin Towers,so desperate that the suffering is much more than they can bear. Despite having an ugly record now from opiate deniel, it will look good in another 5 yrs when all these people with this problem are no longer around to become a statistic.By 2025 opioid deaths due to O.D. and withdrawal will virtually non existent. Then the CDC can say, see there we told you that removing these dangerous meds would work.

• Christine W., fbplugin, I believe you care, and a few others do as well. However, as someone who has suffered from severe mental illness for the past decade, there isn't much help out there. And good luck to you if you don't have limitless resources to pay for care. Prior to that, I had resources, support in place and could manage mental illness well enough to live a decent life and be able to enjoy being active with family, friends and community. I have nothing much left now. We can have all the love and compassion in the world, but as a society we continue to fail in our ability to treat those of us with all kinds of afflictions that would lead anyone to consider such an end for their lives.
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01.13.19: opinion - Editorial: Revisiting safety on the Sunshine Skyway.
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01.07.19: save, 6:00am, female
unknown
thank you, jumpnews reporter:
01.07.19, anon, St. Pete, regarding: Car stopped near top, northbound lanes. I was heading south so I couldn't see much. No idea what's going on. Praying it's just a broken down car.

12.03.19, Ariana, (01.07.19, 6:00am, female, didn't jump, taken away), My friend tell me this story

any more info is welcome.
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01.04.19: article - As record year ends,
Florida studying suicide prevention barriers for Sunshine Skyway bridge
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