Golden Gate Bridge Suicides

aThousandYearsWide

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I have noticed several threads about either unidentified persons being found under the bridge, or missing persons cars being found nearby. I am making a thread so these cases can be talked about in one place. It might even link a unidentified person to a missing person if we are lucky.


Dark side of the Golden Gate
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world's most recognizable structures, but the historic landmark has a dark history. According to the Bridge Rail Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to stopping suicide at public facilities, since the bridge's opening in 1937, there have been more than 1,700 confirmed suicides and 300 unconfirmed. The foundation also estimates that, on average, the Bridge Patrol or the California Highway Patrol stops someone from jumping every two or three days.

He jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and survived. Now, he's seeing his wish for a safety net come true
 

Namus (additional)
There is one more found floating in the SF bay, but I don't know if he was a jumper. It's possible he was on the disabled boat. "A crew from the Coast Guard Station Ft. Point was in the process of towing a disabled boat when they were signaled by pedestrian on the shoreline to alert them of the subject floating in the waters of the San Francisco bay just off of Lime Point, beneath the north point of the Golden Gate Bridge".
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
 
Missing persons (additional)

Males
Joseph Weber IV – The Charley Project November 24, 2014, unsure circumstances, possible jumper, car parked in the Golden Gate Bridge employee parking lot on November 27, Surveillance cameras show Weber walking onto the bridge.
Matthew Justin Rich – The Charley Project September 17, 2014, from Texas, Hood county, Jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge that night and is presumed to have perished, body never found.
Matthew Douglas Naaf – The Charley Project December 31, 2013; that day he sent a friend a photo of himself on the Golden Gate Bridge. He has never been heard from again.
Jackson Alexander Miller – The Charley Project May 15, 2010, Unsure jumper, last seen at a bus stop near the Golden Gate Bridge. He parked his silver 2004 Honda Pilot in the bridge parking, no jumpers recorded that day.
Russell Takeo Shigeura – The Charley Project April 24, 2008. He reportedly jumped off the GG Bridge that day, presumed to have perished, body never recovered.
John Michael Pavlat – The Charley Project December 24, 2002, Last seen at 5:15 p.m. on the GG Bridge. He was seen getting out of his vehicle and jumping over the bridge rail, left suicide Email.
Tilo Tilo Faalupega Faoa – The Charley Project June 2, 1999, Seen jumping off the GG Bridge after leaving his wallet and jacket on the walkway.
Carlos Benjamin Urruela – The Charley Project July 16, 1987, unsure circumstances, last seen on the GG bridge, got out of his mother's car at Light Pole #34 at 2:40 a.m, car was later found parked on the bridge.
Leonard Bernard Branzuela – The Charley Project June 26, 1993, last seen on the GG bridge, belongings later found on the bridge. A body seen in the water at the time, not recovered.
George Wightman Peavey – The Charley Project May 27, 1987, Last seen on the GG Bridge, no more info.
Ka Hung Chiu – The Charley Project, May 15, 1986, Vehicle was discovered abandoned on the GG Bridge.
Amador Garcia – The Charley Project March 23, 1986, Vehicle was found parked on the GG Bridge after his disappearance.
Bryan Lees – The Charley Project, September 15, 1981, Last seen standing in the midspan of the GG Bridge


Females
Marina Miquelle Kissinger – The Charley Project March 14, 1995 After her disappearance, vehicle found parked near the Golden Gate Bridge
Justine Gabrielle Flynn – The Charley Project September 9, 1982, Last seen at the Golden Gate Bridge
 
Namus (additional)
There is one more found floating in the SF bay, but I don't know if he was a jumper. It's possible he was on the disabled boat. "A crew from the Coast Guard Station Ft. Point was in the process of towing a disabled boat when they were signaled by pedestrian on the shoreline to alert them of the subject floating in the waters of the San Francisco bay just off of Lime Point, beneath the north point of the Golden Gate Bridge".
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Thank you Bit of Hope! I am looking on Doe Network as well. I wish I did the Websleuths threads in chronological order!
 
From the Doe Network:

 
Missing on the Doe Network:

Males:

Females:
 
Last edited:
Missing on the Doe Network:

Males:

Females:

Thank you too!
 
From Doe Network, more possible missing persons:

Males:
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/3624dmca.html- Dec 23, 1972- Charles Howard Bolter- 69 years old- car was found abandoned in Waterford 2 hours away from the bridge. Was upset over loss of money
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1290dmaz.html- Nov 09, 1983- Paul Alan Vogen- 29 years old- His car was found at Sky Harbor Airport and he allegedly bought a ticket from Phoenix to San Francisco, CA. Paul had previously expressed a desire to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/4927dmca.html- Dec 23, 1983- Charles Frederick Shelley- 42 years old- missing from Sacramento which is a litte under a 2 hour drive from the bridge. Went missing after finding out his mother had died
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/552dmca.html- Oct 24, 1984- Frank Azpeitia- 27 years old- last seen in San Francisco and his casefile says he was suicidal at the time of his disappearance
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/843dmca.html- Oct 07, 1987- Jonathan Lewis Ginsburg- 32 years old- missing from Albany which is under 30 minutes away from the Golden State Bridge. Was upset over a breakup at his time of disappearance
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/577dmca.html- Sept 26, 1990- Brenton J. Garmire- 43 years old- his vehicle was found on October 6 on Folsom and Eighth street (a 20 min car ride, under an hour bus ride, or under 2 hour walk from the Golden Gate Bridge)
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/640dmca.html- Jan 23, 1993- William Thomas McKay- 53 years old- car abandoned at Vista Point(other side of Golden Gate bridge) in Marin County. Inside the car was a note indicating suicide
  • http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1293dmca.html- Jan 24, 1995- Robin Reed- 15 years old- Authorities believe he committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. He left behind a note saying he felt unwanted

Females:
 
Stinson beach isn't far from the Golden Gate Recreational area and both are in Marin county.


1565UFCA - Unidentified Female

Date of Discovery: May 19, 1972
Location of Discovery: Marin County, California
Estimated Date of Death: 1 year prior to discovery
State of Remains: Partial remains with soft tissues
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 30-40 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Three maxillary teeth had gold caps on them.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. Three maxillary teeth had gold caps on them.
Fingerprints: Unavailable
DNA: Unknown

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Garter and girdle set were the only items found with the body. They were the brand "Hollywood Vassarette".
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
Partial remains with soft tissues of a female decedent found on the shore of Stinson Beach. She is estimated to have been deceased approximately one year.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Marin County Sheriff's Office - Coroner Division
Agency Contact Person: Alexandra Torres
Agency Phone Number: 415-473-6043
Agency E-Mail: atorres@marinsheriff.org
Agency Case Number: 72-193

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 17773

Information Source(s)
NamUs

1565UFCA
 
2416UMCA - Unidentified Male
Date of Discovery: July 2, 1970
Location of Discovery: Marin County, California
Estimated Date of Death: May 1, 1970
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 20-35 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'8" to 5'11"
Weight: 150-160 lbs
Hair Color: Light brown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Not available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Plaid shirt, dark blue pants, black belt, white T-shirt, green windbreaker, purple sock, and white hi-top tennis shoes cut to an oxford size.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: A red felt pen and ball point pen with Federal Saving was found in his shirt pocket.

Circumstances of Discovery
The victim was located floating off the shore around Stinson Beach.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Marin County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 415-499-7284
Agency Case Number: LE: 70-5398; ME: 70-231

NCIC Case Number: U761534978
NamUs Case Number: UP #12134
Former Hot Case Number: 2416

Information Source(s)
NamUs

2416UMCA
 
621UMCA - Unidentified Male
621UMCA.jpg
621UMCA1.jpg

Reconstructions of the decedent.

Date of Discovery: October 14, 2003
Location of Discovery: San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
Estimated Date of Death: 1 week or longer
State of Remains: Unknown (sources differ)
Cause of Death: Undetermined

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 18-50 years old
Race: Native American and/or Hispanic
Sex: Male
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: A Washington Redskins jersey-type shirt, extra large, with the number 19 on it, white short-sleeve t-shirt, khaki Docker pants, white ankle socks and Gtex Plantinum low cut hiking boots.
Jewelry: Marine Corps ring with red stone, a gold/yellow metal band-type ring, and a watch.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
The decedent was located floating in the bay between Pier 9 and 15 in San Francisco, California on October 14, 2003.

While there were no obvious signs of trauma, it has not been determine how he died, authorities couldn't rule out the possibility that the man was murdered.

Toxicology tests reveal he had an extremely high blood alcohol level.

His clothing was in good shape. He did not appear to be a homeless individual.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Felipe Fernandez
Agency Phone Number: 415-553-1694
Agency E-Mail: Medical.Examiner(at)sfgov.org
Agency Case Number: 2003-1141

NCIC Case Number: U230005265
NamUs Case Number: 5955

Information Source(s)
NamUs
San Francisco County Medical Examiner
621UMCA
 
1546UFCA - Unidentified Female
Date of Discovery: July 6, 1971
Location of Discovery: San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
Estimated Date of Death: 1971
State of Remains: All parts recovered. Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 20-50 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'04"
Weight: 120 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Coat, blouse, skirt, and underclothing.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
Harbor police spotted the subject floating in the waters of the San Francisco Bay near Pier 7.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Office of the Cheif Medical Examiner, San Francisco City and County
Agency Contact Person: Thomas McDonald, Medicolegal Death Investigator
Agency Phone Number: 415-641-3600
Agency E-Mail: Unknown
Agency Case Number: 1971-1278

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 5834
Former Hot Case Number: NA

Information Source(s)
NamUs
1546UFCA
 
3382UMCA - Unidentified Male
Date of Discovery: June 12, 1983
Location of Discovery: San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
Estimated Date of Death: 1983
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 25-55 years old
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 5'09"
Weight: 135 lbs.
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: White t-shirt; maroon colored shirt. One black sock.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
A fishing boat was deep sea fishing with their nets out at 25 fathoms in the main shipping channel near L.B. Navigation buoy and they brought the subject to the surface. They took the subject to the Ft. Point Coast Guard Station.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, San Francisco City and County
Agency Contact Person: Thomas McDonald, Medicolegal Death Investigator
Agency Phone Number: 415-641-3600
Agency E-Mail: Unknown
Agency Case Number: 1983-0812

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 5896
Former Hot Case Number: NA

Information Source(s)
NamUs
3382UMCA
 
1352UMCA - Unidentified Male
1352UMCA.jpg

Reconstruction of the decedent.

Date of Discovery: August 25, 2007
Location of Discovery: Point Reyes, Marin County, California
Estimated Date of Death: 3 days prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Drowning; listed as possible suicide

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 40-57 years old
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 6'6" to 6'7"
Weight: 250 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown and gray, short and curly, with receding hairline. Clean shaven. Scant body hair.
Eye Color: Brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: 4" vertical scar on right forearm. Uncircumcised. Previous appendectomy (accompanied by scar); hypertensive cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure).

Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Black sleeveless T-shirt, over white tee with "Maui 98". Black spandex shorts. White Reebok tennis shoes, size 12. A red t-shirt with the Bordenave Bakery logo on front pocket was found washed ashore that may be related to the case.
Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Blue and black First Gear backpack. Ankle and wrist weights like used for jogging.

Circumstances of Discovery
The decedent was found floating in the surf at Sculptured Beach. Dressed for jogging and found near a popular jogging trail.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Marin County Coroner
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 415-499-6043
Agency E-Mail: coroner(at)marinsheriff.org
Agency Case Number: 07-184

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 7081
Former Hot Case Number: 998

Information Source(s)
NamUs
Marin County Coroner

1352UMCA
 
Should we also look at people who are supposedly jumped from the "Bay bridge"? (San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridge) or the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge. They could have been found in the San Francisco Bay too, or is that confusing?
 

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