Roosevelt Island Resident Dies After Jumping Off Apartment Balcony At Manhattan Park’s 10 River Road

Sad news to report. Earlier this afternoon, I received this email:

Just outside gristede’s there’s a dead body in the road and tons of police around (but no one directing traffic…

It was reported to me at the scene that at approximately 2 PM a Roosevelt Island resident living at 10 River Road jumped off the apartment balcony onto Main Street in front of Gristedes and the Motorgate ramp. The person died.

The Body Was Behind The 2 Police CarsAccording to this Tweet from NY Scanner:

Roosevelt Island: River Rd & Main St Jumper down and is DOA on scene. Crime scene units enroute. 2:36:32 PM

UPDATE 9 PM – I received several photos of the scene showing the covered dead body on Main Street. I took a photo of the scene this afternoon myself. Since the original post, I have been considering whether or not it would be appropriate to publish such photos. I have decided to publish a photo taken at the scene showing the body underneath a tarp, because it illustrates the stark and horrific reality of today’s tragic event without, in my opinion, violating the privacy of the deceased or his/her family.

UPDATE 9:35 PM – Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra reports:

Unfortunately, our island lost a resident this afternoon. A 21 year-old male fell to his death from his balcony at 10 River Road. PSD received the call of a male lying in the street in front of the Gristedes turnaround, and at first it was believed that he may have been hit by a car. Further investigation revealed that he was allegedly smoking Salvia and ran out onto the balcony and jumped. EMS and NYPD were on scene immediately thereafter, and the male was pronounced DOA on the scene. The investigation revealed that it was a suicide, and the body was removed by the NYC Coroner. Bus traffic was suspended for several hours, as the area was cordened off as a Crime Scene. Remaining traffic was diverted via the seawalls.

For those not familiar with Salvia, it’s proper name is Savia Divinorum. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has listed Salvia as a drug of concern. The DEA states that Salvia is a Mexican herb that can be smoked to evoke hallucinogenic effects. Psychic effects include perceptions of bright lights, vivid colors and shapes, as well as body movements and body or object distortions. The DEA also reports that other effects include uncontrolled laughter, overlapping realities, incoordination, dizziness and slurred speech.

UPDATE 3/8 -The Daily News has more details on this incident. I have posted another thread for anyone who wishes to comment on RIOC’s performance during this incident. Please use that thread for any additional comments and do not post any additional comments on this thread. UPDATE 8 PM – WABC TV has a video interview with the deceased’s sister and Daily Mail print interview with father.