Found Deceased NY - Heikki Rantakari, 44, University of Rochester Professor, believed to be in danger, 20 Oct 2023

[Inthedetails]

The University of Rochester shared a statement with 13WHAM Friday that indicated Rantakari is presumed to have drowned.

Police: Missing U of R professor fell off pedestrian bridge into Genesee River

Rochester, N.Y. Police confirmed Friday that a scuba team has been searching the Genesee River for a missing University of Rochester professor.

13wham.com

Rest in peace, Heikki.

I didn't expect this, and I guess it's a comfort to know he didn't suffer an act of violence committed against him but suffered an accident. So sorry for the news.

jmo

 

[Curiousobserver]

Wow, how unusual. That is not an unsafe bridge that is easy to accidentally fall from.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Wow, how unusual. That is not an unsafe bridge that is easy to accidentally fall from.

I still don’t understand the ‘believed to be in danger”. I was thinking from a third party all along. What they meant to be danger to self? I kinda think it would have been more clearly worded.

 

[ifindedout]

Streetview from Bragdon Place

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Inthedetails]

Streetview from Bragdon Place

I've been wrong on this case so far so might as well risk being wrong again. Looking at the photo of the bridge, the only way I can see accidentally falling off is if he were, perhaps, walking on the railing? Practicing balancing or something like that?? IDK!!

jmo

 

[vlbay]

I can't tell how high the railings are, but maybe it was something like he took a photo, dropped his phone, leaned over and lost his balance?

Very sad.

 

[ifindedout]

I've been wrong on this case so far so might as well risk being wrong again. Looking at the photo of the bridge, the only way I can see accidentally falling off is if he were, perhaps, walking on the railing? Practicing balancing or something like that?? IDK!!

jmo

Or simply leaning too far, perhaps trying to capture a reflection (or a selfie) with his phone? MOO

 

[Curiousobserver]

I can't tell how high the railings are, but maybe it was something like he took a photo, dropped his phone, leaned over and lost his balance?

Very sad.

They are a safe height- you would let your children walk on it. Something out of the ordinary happened for sure.

 

[Cedars]

I've been wrong on this case so far so might as well risk being wrong again. Looking at the photo of the bridge, the only way I can see accidentally falling off is if he were, perhaps, walking on the railing? Practicing balancing or something like that?? IDK!!

jmo

It is a very sensitive subject for families and friends. Main point police are making public, IMO, is that it was not foul play.

JMO

 

[LemonMint]

I’m so sorry to hear the news I feel for his family, friends, colleagues and students during this tragic time.

The railings look safe in my opinion, I can’t help wondering what happened…

He was last seen on Friday evening but the camera caught the incident early on Saturday (the exact time wasn’t mentioned). Did he spend the night at his AirBnB accomodation after all… ?

The wording ”believed to be in danger” is still bothering me, too.

Nearly every Finn is able to swim (due to our nearly 188 000 lakes here plus swimming instruction at elementary schools). I wonder what was the water temperature in Genesee river a week ago.

 

[Moonstrawbs]

The wording is definitely off. So sad for his family. I wonder if he maybe had some sort of medical emergency which then led to him falling in?

 

[cocomod]

Perhaps they are trying to protect the family in the news articles. Perhaps he "fell" in on purpose? As someone pointed out earlier, suicide is not uncommon when one has a lot of pressures. Sad that they are looking for his body, but at least there is some evidence and solace of where he might be.

 

[LemonMint]

Perhaps they are trying to protect the family in the news articles. Perhaps he "fell" in on purpose? As someone pointed out earlier, suicide is not uncommon when one has a lot of pressures. Sad that they are looking for his body, but at least there is some evidence and solace of where he might be.

Yes, I’m also thinking this is very possible.

The statement ”accidentally drowned” didn’t come directly from the police but from the university.

 

[WNYer]

Media avoids publicizing any intention or action of self-harm for many reasons including protecting their loved ones. I think they should make a more conscious effort to talk about s-prevention and such even if not in relation to any one story/individual. Not talking about it or avoiding the topic is taboo. Not talking about it doesn’t prevent anything IMHO.

Regardless of how he drowned, RIP Heikki.

 

[Inthedetails]

It is a very sensitive subject for families and friends. Main point police are making public, IMO, is that it was not foul play.

JMO

If it was an accident, the public does need to know how it happened. If the bridge is not safe, it needs to be fixed. JMOpinion

 

[Cedars]

If it was an accident, the public does need to know how it happened. If the bridge is not safe, it needs to be fixed. JMOpinion

Good point. I would think a Coronor/ME will make an official declaration sometime in the future. Part of their job would be to require something be fixed, if it was an ordinary accident that could happen to anyone.

Not to mention, to prevent family suing because the bridge was unsafe, clarification of exact sequence of events will be necessary, but not necessarily public.

ETA also, to prevent future accidents followed by lawsuits, IMO the city would put up temporary caution signs, etc, until they fixed any problems permanently.

So if there's nothing on the bridge, as reported above, I would discount the idea of an ordinary accident that could happen to anyone.

JMO

 

[LemonMint]

Streetview from Bragdon Place

Could it be Sister Cities Bridge at the end of Bragdon Place though…? Just had a look at Google maps.

If it is, it seems to be temporarily closed.

 

[JDG]

Good point. I would think a Coronor/ME will make an official declaration sometime in the future. Part of their job would be to require something be fixed, if it was an ordinary accident that could happen to anyone.

Not to mention, to prevent family suing because the bridge was unsafe, clarification of exact sequence of events will be necessary, but not necessarily public.

ETA also, to prevent future accidents followed by lawsuits, IMO the city would put up temporary caution signs, etc, until they fixed any problems permanently.

So if there's nothing on the bridge, as reported above, I would discount the idea of an ordinary accident that could happen to anyone.

JMO

I believe it’s all temporarily shut down at the bridge site, for now.

 

[Snoopster]

RIP Heikki. and I wrap my arms around his family in a virtual hug.

 

[Falling Down]

Just upriver from the waterfall.
Very sorry to read this bit of news.