West, 19, disappeared on a foggy San Francisco morning, around 6:45 a.m. to 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 on the Golden Gate Bridge. Suicides Mounting, Golden Gate Looks to Add a Safety Net Sadly, your post is being used by some commenters to justify the Golden Gate Bridge net boondoggle. You can find a life worth living, too, if you set your mind to finding solutions. Cameras on the Golden Gate Bridge recorded Sydney the morning of Sept. 30. r/redsox. Youve been through an enormous amount. The Mystery Of Sydney West's Disappearance - Grunge.com This case has always stuck with me because I am in my 20s and suffer from anxiety and depression. I just got out two days ago. Dialectical behavior therapy? Video footage from the bridge has been carefully reviewed by investigators but due to foggy and smoky conditions camera views where obstructed making it impossible to tell her exact location on the bridge. A vigil was held last week for West in Pleasanton. Edit: FAQs https://findsydneywest.com/faq, https://www.pollyklaas.org/missing-children/sydney-west/, https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2021/09/30/what-a-week-find-sydney-west, https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/searching-for-sydney-san-francisco-police-still-asking-for-publics-help/?fbclid=IwAR2uVE3anCjr5EvpUerTiD6JZxCAENR83-xIRz3TRzAfRuGckyYFzRqnobM, https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2020/11/27/the-disappearance-of-sydney-west/. Lorraine Rhodes was destitute, and asked Show Folks of America to help pay for the funeral, which they did. "On Aug. 20, 1985, I jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, and I survived." Ken Baldwin was 28 years old and had just started a family. Her family still has hope that they will one day find her. Precious few people survive such a fall; the water about 200 feet below acts the same as concrete when a person lands on it at high speed. Or, at least, balanced! Lets get real here life sucks and its hard but dont give up. His passing causes lots of pain, sadness and changed others lives entirely. The bridge is 225 feet high, and after a four-second fall, jumpers hit the water at a speed of 75mph, with a force equivalent to a lorry crashing into a wall. I hope you will read it and take its words to heart. As 6 months passes where we have not seen or heard fromSydney, it becomes increasingly painful, her parents, Jay and Kimberly West, said in a statement provided to SFGATE. The night before she disappeared (Sept. 29) she and her father Jay West had a lengthy phone conversation according to her family. Say someone wants to die by suicideso badly that they go to the Golden Gate Bridge to jump off. Once her gap year was over, she moved back to California decided to attend U.C. Berkeley when she went missing on September 30, 2020. Ive been hospitalized 4 times in the past 6 weeks, after my 9th suicide attempt. For his big ticket to stardom, Rhodes was inspired by a circus performer named Frank Cushing who was plucked out of the bay the previous year after claiming that he had just leaped from the bridge, though no one was there to see it. Keep pushing on. I pray tonight. It's not hard to kill yourself at the Golden Gate bridge. According to San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) her family reported her missing two days after she was last seen on Oct 2, 2020. Rhodes was estranged from his wife Lorraine, who lived in the East Bay in Port Chicago with their two kids, Rocky, 4, and Oowala, 9, but he made arrangements for her to witness the stunt, maybe in the hope that the feat would win her back. Copyright 2013 Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, All Rights Reserved. I worry almost everyday that Ill maim myself again and not die. Between 1937 and 2012, an estimated 1,400 bodies were recovered of people who had jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States.. Police do not necessarily believe there was foul play involved, according to an interview Rueca had with KRON4. Email: Andrew.Chamings@sfgate.com | Twitter: @AndrewChamings. At this point I feel like Ill just maim myself or end up locked up for a minimum of six months( yes thats happened to me). Being a freshman and isolated on campus due to the COVID pandemic was hard for West, her family said. A couple hours. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. The four-second fall from the Golden Gate Bridge sends a person plunging 245 feet (75 m) at 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) to . Suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge - Wikipedia He managed to turn himself upright in the few seconds it took for him to hit the water; this way, he did not land on his head. For example, he may be telling himself that the way he feels and is now is the way he will feel and be forever. Sydney West was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, walking near Crissy Field. My reason to live is so I dont hurt people who care but what if you have no one who cares there was a time I had no one it was only my stupidity that got the hospital aware of my attempt. He already had refused to get help or to stop drinking. Thank you for contributing to the discussion. I fully expected to talk to her the next day, Jay West told KRON4. Holidays and milestones come and go while we continue to feelSydney's absence continuously. As a person who has tried countless times to end my life, even shooting myself in the head, we are stuck living with yet another feeling of failure when we fail and continue suffering. Additionally, Hines takes medication and . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Her family relocated to North Carolina in July 2017. Im sorry to hear of your loss The chances of surviving are less than 1.5%, and almost zero if the feet don't hit first. Taking into account suicides that might have been missed by researchers, Dr. Seiden stated that 90% of people who tried to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge did not go on to die by suicide. I love the analogy with weight loss. Reach out to someone, anyone because I can tell you they have no idea how you feel. I used to believe my problems are so intractable that the only way out of my pain was suicide. I cant tell you how much of what you write touches me in some way. A narcissistic parent doesnt cause suicide, either lifes problems do or mental illness does. You might be helped by connecting with other people who have attempted suicide and can understand not only what can lead a person to do that, but also what comes after. While at Berkeley she joined the rowing team and showed a strong interest in medicine, business, and biological science. Praying for you. First published on January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM. At this point, the instinct is what keeps me living. I will just speak it: Their lies destroyed me and there is no one on earth greater than you and those you love and want to protect. They lied about every imaginable factor of surviving in life. Afterward, I was disgusted and angry. FAQs - Statistics & Data | Golden Gate YEAH? Many self harm injuries, stitches. I was able to make it out of the hopelessness and despair that led to my attempt. Your pain matters. Too, people who attempt suicide may receive the help they need afterwards. "This will be the biggest jump of my life," he told her. So when crazy people did crazy things in public places, excited crowds would gather. She is 5 10 tall and weighs 130 pounds. Log In Sign Up. He has no one else but me. Im wondering if youve seen the post If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide. I knew then that I would never try it again. A Lesson from 29 Golden Gate Suicide Attempts - Medium "Jump." That's the word Kevin Hines heard in his head on September 25, 2000, as he stood on the Golden Gate Bridge. Berkeley. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Millions of eyes are going to locate her better than 20 sets, Jay West said. I still think about suicide, although not as often. Jumpers | The New Yorker I am hopeful that similar results will be found after the suicide barrier at the Golden Gate bridge is in place. I understand completely. So, I have two choices: Miraculously stop all self harm and suicide attempts, or have to make sure they are 100% successful, because I cant stand the thought of long term in patient. I address the myth of inevitable suicide in this post. Camera footage has been reviewed and interviews have been conducted among West's friends and acquaintances, but there are no leads. It is believed that she had moved out of the dorms into an apartment with some friends near campus. My passion for helping suicidal people stems from my own lived experience with suicidality and suicide loss. My husband killed himself 6 weeks ago at home to put a closure on our marital problem. For suicidal individuals and their loved ones, survivors, mental health professionals, & others who care, Although severe depression led him to jump off the bridge, Kevin Hines, Yet it gives me great hope that the vast majority of suicide attempt survivors remain just that survivors. I love to see that in the Comments section; I find it beautiful when people can connect in this way and, even more, when someone can tell another person what they havent believed for themselves. After graduating high school in 2019, she decided to take a gap year in Australia. Hundreds more are stopped from harming themselves through the efforts of the Golden Gate Bridge District . She was last seen September 30, 2020, from the San Francisco area near the Golden Gate Bridge specifically around Crissy field. Anyone interested in following the investigation may do so on Facebook or Instagram, and tag posts with #FindSydneyWest. My overdose gave me seizures. Maybe in order to evade authorities who had refused permission to allow the jump legally 18 months earlier, he removed the weighted boots that were intended to keep him upright during the plunge. As of 2013, it is estimated that 34 people have survived after jumping. Anyone with information is asked to contact private investigator Scott Dudek at (925) 705-8328 or Dudek.associates@gmail.com. Press J to jump to the feed. That is so sad, Julie. On average, 30 people or more die from suicide here each year. Each. Another possibility is that the instinct to live kicks in once someone comes close to dying. Thank you. Its complicated, Bay Area city cracks top 10 best for sleep: US News, JV talked about health struggles before disappearance, Martinez residents warned not to eat food grown in, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. West was last seen on the Golden Gate Bridge onSept. 30, 2020 just before 7 a.m., according to the San Francisco Police Department. I agree with you completely, Anonymous. I blame myself 100% for her suicide. We remain hopeful that someone knows something that will be helpful in finding her.. The longitude and latitude for the Bridge location is approximately: N 37 Degrees, 49 Minutes, 8.0 Seconds --- W 122 Degrees, 28 Minutes, 40.6 Seconds. And the children are adults now. The man who tried to find fame by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, West I-80 closed near Tahoe due to snow and 'multiple spinouts', Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Inside Harry and Meghans favorite In-N-Out, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Massive Lake Tahoe waterfront compound slashes price by $20M, This beloved East Bay hybrid cafe and bike shop is closing, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. Key to my recovery was becoming realistic about my part in creating the calamity called my life, but also needed to recognize others responsibilities as well. And half of people who die by suicide had attempted suicide at least once previously. My advice to you or to those considering suicide or attempted suicide, please THINK of your loved one, your family and friends. Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge suicide net, a coarse web of steel designed to catch and cradle people who jump, is two years behind . Man Survives Suicide Jump From Golden Gate Bridge - ABC News Parents hope key to teen's disappearance is with passerby on Golden Gate Bridge, How one storm system wreaked havoc from coast to coast, Californians await key decisions from reparations task force, Bankman-Fried might use flip phone under stricter bail plan, Woman accused of killing ill husband released from jail, Alaska's arduous Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, was initially thought to have last been seen or heard from early the morning of September 30 in the Crissy Field area. Get your suicides here, folks | Movies | The Guardian PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) Nearly a year has gone by since a Bay Area college student, Sydney West, vanished in San Francisco. Im about to be 22, medicated trying to live normal with constant suicidal thoughts. But he didnt and will never know that what he had actually solved only his own problem- feeling/depression. Same with divorce. Suicide prevention can save lives. Sydney Harbour Bridge has a suicide prevention barrier. Horrified spectators screamed and mothers covered their childrens eyes as Chief Sundowns lifeless body bobbed under the bridge and out to sea. If all else fails do something drastic. Sydneys father believes that there is someone that may have seen something. At 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2013 Kyle Gamboa stopped his truck in the middle of the highway, stepped out, ran onto the pedestrian walkway and jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge to his death. I hope you can find peace within. America feeds narcissistic women because their joy is in materialistic consumption, the backbone of this country that once believed life had a higher purpose. Sydney West is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but also grew up in the Pleasanton area. Theres people who love you and want you to keep pushing even if your soul reason is living to not put them through that heartache. They planned to reconvene in L.A. the following day to hatch a plan to monetize the footage. This research, though 35 years old, still holds true. And its been a long term plan, for 35 years, but become refined in that time. T he Golden Gate Bridge is one of the top suicide sites in the world, surpassed only by the Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, China.People have jumped off of the bridge for nearly as long as it's been accessible to the public; the first recorded suicide a World War I veteran suspected to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder took place less than three months after the . After my attempt at suicide, I tried to find information about my feelings and what others were feeling. Suicide Deterrent Net | Golden Gate Thank you for sharing, Stacy. I warned her of the possible dangers of the physical response to discontinuance, not thinking of her emotional well being. I wear various hats: I created and maintain this website, Speaking of Suicide, I'm an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and I have a psychotherapy and consulting practice. I am a survivor as well of rape and spousal abuse, Am feeling empowered today, thanks to you. None of us can. Suicide bridge - Wikipedia Her family is not giving up hope that she is still alive and remains determined to find her. I attempted when I was a teenager. I know there will be a lot of people out there who will think a certain thing happened to Sydney. West returned to the Bay Area as a University of California, Berkeley student, where she studied until recently, San Francisco police said when she was first reported missing. More often than not, the crisis passes. My sons father committed suicide and in the moments he was alive after shooting himself he kept saying sorry I shouldnt have never done this over and over. 10 Reasons Teens Avoid Telling Parents about Suicidal Thoughts. It may feel 100% true to him. Required fields are marked *. I also knew that there was no hope whatsoever for what was wrong with me. After he was rescued, he continued to live, and lives still, serving as a suicide prevention advocate at the national level. Obviously, the will to live does not reassert itself in everyone who has tried to die. Why Prevent Suicide? I was so worried about him, but he refused to get help and he kept drinking. Andrew has written for The Atlantic, Vice, SF Weekly, the San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney's, The Bold Italic, Drowned in Sound and many other places. Thank you for providing this site. Missing Ex-Cal Student Last Seen On Golden Gate Bridge True or false is a perception that changes from person to person. So it is with anything else, including suicidal thoughts. God Bless You. All 29 people who survived their suicide attempts off San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge have said they regretted their decision as soon as they jumped. And half of people who die by suicide had attempted suicide at least once previously. I have battled the thoughts of suicide for many years but after I had children those thoughts died. I lost my boyfriend to suicide two years ago and I have not been able to forgive myself. Missing College Student - Sydney West : r/TrueCrime - reddit Her parents thanked others for the love and support, and asked people to continue spreading the word by sharing photos and memories of their daughter on social media. I feel fortunate and very grateful that so many individuals take their time and devote energy to sharing what they have experienced in their lives-it is so difficult for most people to understand in its wholeness-the value of life ..the science of every day living and the extreme depth and mystery and solstice to human beings, but one way to start understanding why people: innocents commit suicide is to acknowlege the exact factors of why a healthy person would just turn off the switch to existence. I hope he is seeing a psychiatrist for his medications, not a PCP, because psychiatrists are much more well versed in the benefits, risks, side effects, etc. She was last seen in long, dark leggings, a teal hooded sweatshirt and slip-on Vans in a dark green and black print. He now works daily, and diligently, to manage continued symptoms that can include depression and hearing voices. Im sorry youre feeling so bad that your suicide seems, to you, to be inevitable. "Jump." That's the word Kevin Hines heard in his head on September 25, 2000, as he stood on the Golden Gate Bridge. For those who are thinking about suicide, I know what happens after youre gone isnt part of the thought process, but believe me, you might end your pain, but the trajectory of pain caused to others is also insurmountable. Healthcare sucks, Government sucks, Law Enforcement Sucks, the economy sucks, the housing market, job, market, and prospects suck, no body likes me, including myself, and I really dont like anyone else either. Im all right, Im prepared for this! Dusty Rhodes yelled as he launched himself from the Golden Gate Bridge. And now I have the means to do it. I am a suicide survivor from India. She is from Chapel Hill, N.C. Sure if youve got someone/s to bail you out after your attempt, yeah youve got a reason to live. Seidens study shows that those who encounter a personal, human intervention during the suicide attempt are less likely to end up dying of suicide (though he admits that another big percentage continue self-destructive behaviorse.g., excessive drinkingthat lead to an early natural death), but it says nothing about the efficacy of physical barriers. This site continues to distract me from my suicidal thoughts. He jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and survived. Now, he's - CNN The West family has also upped its reward for her return to $25,000. Here Are My Reasons. "Syd," as she liked to be called, was initially thought to have last been seen or heard from early the morning of September 30 in the Crissy Field area. Dec. 11, 2019 Updated: Dec. 12, 2019 8:06 a.m. 5. Your email address will not be published. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Wests parents led a socially-distanced vigil in Pleasanton last Thursday. Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, is the author of the books Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals and Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do. As his wife described, without the weighted boots to keep him upright, Rhodes' body arched forward, eventually meeting the water face-first. Privacy Policy. Even for people who passionately wish and perhaps even need (for health reasons) to lose weight, they do not always prevail. Family of Sydney West, missing UC Berkeley student, renews search Sydney is considered at risk due to depression, said SFPD Officer Robert Rueca to KRON4. "We have a lot of people that are asking us for information.". It is also possible she was wearing eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. I am literally living day by day and full of guilt, regret and anger. Golden Gate Bridge, suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate in California to link San Francisco with Marin county to the north. West had just gone off to college to her dream school, University of California Berkeley. The tragedy of suicide is indisputable. People Who Have Jumped From The Golden Gate Bridge After the war, people were looking for entertainment in 1940's San Francisco, but TVs were not yet common in homes, public hangings were history and the 49ers hadnt joined the NFL yet. She struggled with being so far away from her parents and sister, who reside in North Carolina. Female Representation In The Tech And Startup World: UC Berkeley, Berkeley Asks Residents To Provide Input On Wildfire Response, American Tulip Day & Free, U-Pick-Tulips 2023: Union Square, San Francisco, Rotary Club's Drive-Thru Crab & Pasta Feed 2023: Orinda.