A man has died after jumping from a helicopter into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Malibu in an apparent suicide over the weekend.
The Federal Aviation Administration says the pilot of a Robinson R22 chopper reports that a 42-year-old passenger jumped from the aircraft about a mile south of the Malibu Pier at around 1.20pm Saturday.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department says the man’s heart wasn’t beating when lifeguards rescued him from the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Watery grave: A 42-year-old man has died after jumping from a helicopter into the Pacific Ocean off of the Malibu Pier in an apparent suicide on Saturday
Too late: Lifeguards pulled the man’s body from the water, but he could not be saved (the man’s body is being removed on a stretcher after his death)
The helicopter was chartered out of Star Helicopters at Hawthorne Municipal Airport. The doors of the aircraft had been removed for a photo shoot.
The pilot told investigators his passenger leaped out of the chopper 45 minutes into the flight.
A detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told CBS Los Angeles that said the helicopter pilot tilted the aircraft and tried to grab hold of the suicidal man to prevent him from jumping, but his efforts failed.
Keith Harter, the CEO of Star Helicopters, released a statement on Facebook commending his employee of ‘doing everything in his powers to try and save the man’s life.’
Harter added that after the passenger took the fateful leap, the pilot contacted Santa Monica Air Traffic control and continued circling the area, eventually leading rescue workers to the man’s location in the water, about 1 mile south of the Malibu Pier.
Final note: A detective later searched this Robinson R22 chopper and found a suicide note under a seat
In the hours after the fatal jump, a detective with the sheriff’s office searched the helicopter and discovered a suicide note hidden under a seat, according to Harter’s statement.
‘Our hearts and prayers go out to the mans family, those involved and to our pilot who went above and beyond expectations during this tragic event,’ the CEO wrote.
As of early Monday morning, the victim’s name has not been released, pending the notification of next of kin.
If anyone is seeking help please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1 800 273 8255 or visiting the website.