St. George Police investigate death as possible suicide

ST. GEORGE – The report of a gunshot near a karate studio Tuesday afternoon brought out police and other responders who discovered the body of a man lying on the ground.

St. George Police officers investigate a potential suicide incident behind the Taco Bell on Sunset Boulevard, St. George, Utah, Jan. 30, 2018 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

“When we got here, we did find a deceased male,” St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said. “From the preliminary investigation, it looks like a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. near the entrance to Freedom Fighters Martial Arts, behind the Taco Bell on Sunset Boulevard.

The police are working on contacting the deceased man’s next of kin, Despain said.

Due to the incident being a possible suicide, police believe there is no danger to the public by an unknown assailant, he said.

The incident remains under investigation.

This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, call 911 immediately. Suicide is an emergency that requires help by trained medical professionals and should always be treated seriously.

Nationwide suicide hotlines, 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (8255), have counselors available 24/7. The Southwest Behavioral Health Center also offers help for Southern Utah residents; call 800-574-6763 or 435-634-5600.

Other resources include Suicide.org, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the American Association of Suicidology. All provide comprehensive information and help on the issue of suicide, from prevention to treatment to coping with loss.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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8 Comments

  • ladybugavenger January 30, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    It’s just heartbreaking. The emotion, mental, and spiritual pain people are in that leads to murdering themselves is heartbreaking. Very sad.

    • theone January 31, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Murder: “the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.” You can’t murder yourself bug you can only kill yourself. Taking your own life is suicide not murder.

      • ladybugavenger January 31, 2018 at 5:51 pm

        Whatever

      • ladybugavenger January 31, 2018 at 5:55 pm

        It’s definitely pre meditated.

        By definition you are correct theone. Thanks,for coming by to say hi ?

      • comments January 31, 2018 at 7:52 pm

        lol

        • comments January 31, 2018 at 8:41 pm

          well, i forgot the content of this article when i put that ‘lol’. theone is right, you cant ‘murder’ yourself.

          anyone considering this path, there is help out there, dont give up, some of us do care.

  • General Seamstress January 30, 2018 at 9:53 pm

    Ppl need to know the volunteer clinic offers free counseling! I know it is hard sometimes to see a councelor, between the cost and the long wait to get in to see one can feel hopeless! Churches have parishioners that will listen and if your church is the problem go to the volunteer clinic ! If u have addiction issues often times u r self medicating and its a temporary fix! Fight! For your healthy mind! If u don’t who will! U deserve to be happy! Manic depression has newer meds, so does paranoia which can be environmental vs schizophrenia… U get this one life, its precious even in the darkness because light always ends up winning!

  • 12345 January 30, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    It’s a very complex situation but there are mental health assistance available. It is sad to see someone take their life

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