First Suicide At Colorado Street Bridge In 2021 Suspected After Body Found In Arroyo

A body was discovered beneath the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena Sunday morning in what was initially being investigated as a suicide, authorities said.

A hiker discovered the body, initially described only as male, shortly after 8:30 a.m. in the Arroyo Seco beneath the bridge, according to Pasadena police officials and fire department dispatch records.

The incident was the first reported suicide from the bridge in 2021.

There were no initial signs of foul play, police said. The investigation was ongoing.

Fatal incidents have dropped sharply since City Manager Steve Mermell took emergency actions to mitigate suicides on the Colorado Street Bridge, 

In 2017, 10 people jumped to their deaths from the bridge, 22 others either were talked down, climbed out on the bridge or were standing nearby contemplating suicide.

Mermell declared a local emergency after police spent 13 hours successfully talking a distraught man down during Labor Day weekend.

Using his emergency powers, Mermell spent $295,932 on fencing to span both sides of the 1,400-foot-long bridge.

Concerns about jumpers increased after the city approved a Habitat for Humanity housing project beneath the famous structure.

Anyone dealing with a mental health crisis is urged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.