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Student dies in tragic fall

PATRICK STATZ-BOYER/Herald photo

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Also by Lynn Heidmann:

Library Mall to add Subway, coffee shop (March 21, 2007)
Ticket dispute ends in lottery (May 3, 2007)
UW vet student earns book treat (March 9, 2007)

by Lynn Heidmann

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

A University of Wisconsin student fell from the top of a parking garage outside the Fluno Center Tuesday and died a short time after at a local hospital.

According to UW Police Department Sgt. Jerome Van Natta, it appeared that the 19-year-old student jumped from the top floor of the parking garage near the corner of Frances and West Johnson Streets around 2 p.m. Tuesday. He fell onto the concrete south of the Fluno Center, sustaining severe injuries upon impact.

Van Natta said the student was transported by Madison Fire and Rescue to an undisclosed local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. No further information on the identity of the student will be released until all family members have been notified, he added.

According to Van Natta, the incident has not been labeled as a suicide, but he said witnesses reported no one else was present in the area at the time.

"There is no indication that there is any suspicious behavior and no indication there was anybody else involved with the incident," he added.

UW graduate student Jessica Binder said she was walking on Frances Street when the student fell, and turned around when she heard the impact. Binder said she walked over to investigate, and one of the witnesses immediately called the police, who showed up on the scene minutes later. The student left his book bag at the top of the parking structure, she added.

"[The witnesses] didn't really know how to handle it at the time," Binder said. "People were just stunned."

Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam said the most important step for those in the UW community who were in contact with the student is to take advantage of University Health Services' crisis and consultation department. She said officials at UHS have been notified of the death and are willing to assist any students who may need counseling.

The university will do anything possible to remember the life of the student, she added, including providing transportation to memorial services or assisting students in putting together a service on campus.

"This is really tragic — it's tragic any time we lose a student," Berquam said. "I think right now we are trying to provide support for those who had most contact with the student."

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Anonymous (November 15, 2006 @ 1:31pm):

Your paper should not be reporting this. Show some respect to the family and friends of the person who died. You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Anonymous (November 15, 2006 @ 3:11pm):

We are deeply sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. Our daughter remembers him from high school and shared the news with us last night. May God watch over you and your family and give you comfort and peace through this very very sad time. Our prayers are with you all.
The connor family, Glenview.

Anonymous (November 15, 2006 @ 6:39pm):

RIP

Anonymous (November 15, 2006 @ 9:16pm):

This NEWSpaper should be ashamed of itself for reporting NEWS! I agree.

Seriously though, tragic is the best way to describe this event.

Anonymous (November 16, 2006 @ 7:35am):

My heart goes out to this family.This is anawefull tragedy, especially with the holidays. I will pray for you .

Anonymous (November 16, 2006 @ 11:04am):

It is ridiculous to say that the newspaper shouldn't report this. Maybe the jumper should have shown some respect for his own family and friends and not have killed himself so publicly.

Anonymous (November 16, 2006 @ 12:00pm):

RIP

Anonymous (November 16, 2006 @ 10:40pm):

Maybe you should show some common human decency and have some compassion. Rest in Peace and you will be missed.

Anonymous (November 17, 2006 @ 1:53pm):

I hardly think it's compassionate to jump from a building onto a public sidewalk in the middle of the day. You're not just hurting yourself, but subjecting everyone around you to the spectacle.

Anonymous (November 18, 2006 @ 1:19pm):

Just because the way that he carried about this was not in the best interest of himself, family, or friends it doesn't mean that he still doesn't deserve respect given to his memory and his family. Compassion to the death of a loved friend, a family member, and person that is missed is not something that should be asked for, it should be expected - no matter what the circumstances are. Leave judgement in God's hands where it belongs, if you knew him - God will make the right decision.

Anonymous (November 18, 2006 @ 2:18pm):

It is ridiculous to say that the newspaper shouldn't report this. Maybe the jumper should have shown some respect for his own family and friends and not have killed himself so publicly.
^whoever posted that doesnt know half of the story.

i know of the story and have known him all of my life, it was a shock to all of us. Maybe you should show some respect to our family and friends and not say something like that at a time like this. maybe if you would go through something like this, you would know how we all feel.

Anonymous (November 29, 2006 @ 1:20pm):

The newspaper reported the facts as known. Nothing was disclosed that shouldn't have been. The newspaper hasn't reported anything regarding this death since the incident... that would have been a tragedy. This dear-young man is in a better place, with God's arms wrapped around him. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved him. His light has blown out here on Earth... now it's shining in the Heavens.