Late Wednesday night, September 4, 2024, emergency services responded to a distressing incident at the Athens City Parking Garage, located at 13 E. Washington St. Around 11 p.m., the Athens Fire Department and EMS were dispatched after receiving a report of an unresponsive man at the scene. Athens Police later arrived to assist.
Ohio University Student Suicide
According to Athens Police reports, the 19-year-old Ohio University student was found deceased after apparently falling from the top of the parking garage. While the Athens County Coroner has yet to release an official cause of death, Service-Safety Director Andy Stone indicated that the city believes the individual died on impact.
Stone revealed that security cameras at the top of the garage captured the student climbing up and subsequently jumping. Unfortunately, city officials were unable to intervene in time to prevent the tragedy. The student was discovered by a tourist who called authorities upon finding the scene.
In response to this tragic event, the Office of the Dean of Students has issued a campus-wide email offering immediate support through Counseling and Psychological Services. Drop-in discussions will be available today, September 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Living Learning Center, Room 150, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jefferson Hall Library. Additional support sessions will be held at Jefferson Hall Library on September 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In light of the incident, Stone announced that the city is considering acquiring a medical examination tent to provide privacy and support in future crises.
This story is developing, and more details will be provided as they become available.