Death at CR 06/05

[ralphd]

I saw this mentioned on another board. Disney is quick to cover up incidents that would be high profile. I do not think you will be able to find much information.

If this is true, why did Disney just have Orange County double the number of Sheriff's deputies on property.

 

[Feralpeg]

If this is true, why did Disney just have Orange County double the number of Sheriff's deputies on property.

They talked about this on the news. It is because there is so much speeding on Disney property. I saw a story about this about a month ago.

 

[colleen costello]

Yensid, my heart goes out to you. When you witness a tragedy you feel "connected" somehow to the victim, and you are only normal and human to want some closure. A couple of years ago I went out in the evening to Walmart so I could go without my kiddos. I was driving behind another car and it was after dark, but the car was far enough ahead of me that I wasn't focusing very closely on it. Almost like in a dream, I saw the car drive right off the road -- across the other lane (nothing coming thank goodness) and disappear down into a drop. Seconds passed so slowly... I wasn't even sure I REALLY SAW an accident! I was thinking "Did that car just drive off the road in front of me?" All of a sudden I realized the overhead phone/electric lines were swaying -- the car had hit a pole on its way down -- and only then did I realize I DID really witness an accident! I stopped at the next house and ran screaming for them to call 911... Of course I had forgotten my cell phone! By the time I went back to the "scene," a lady from a nearby house had come out and was staying with the victim (who had evidently fallen asleep at the wheel) while help arrived.

I was SO wired! I still couldn't believe what I had seen and I somehow wanted to talk to the lady and tell her "I saw you and went for help and was afraid you were hurt." I really felt connected to her, and it bugged me when there was nothing in the paper the next day because while it was "no big news," it really affected me! I was so shaken up I just went home and told hubby all about it... He had worried because the police called to ask me to speak with them; I had given my name to a police officer when they were trying to figure out what happened... Based on the smashed car, they were thinking she was traveling west, but I knew she was going east. Poor lady couldn't even remember what had happened!

Anyway, I want you to know that it makes sense to me that you are still thinking about this, and suffering some "post traumatic" effects. Of course you want answers, and of course you want others to say "Yes it really happened and here is how it happened." Hang in there.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Colleen, that was a really nice and understanding reply to the Yensid. It sounds like you know a lot about what he and his family went through. Thank you for sharing your story with us. You must have been terrified.

To the poster who said they found it odd that the OP used another screen name to post his story, I completely understand why this was done. Yensid had no idea, based on what he witnessed, if the incident was a murder or a suicide. The other man with the mohawk who was involved in the incident on the balcony, could have either been trying to stop the victim from jumping or could have pushed the victim off the balcony himself. Yensid did not know at that time what was going on and still did not know when he posted here. The mohawk man saw Yensid and his wife on the balcony below at the time of the incident. If I was in the situation Yensid was in, I would also want to remain annonymous.

This is the third tragedy I have heard of related to WDW/DCL in the past week or two.

Tink

 

[TSR6]

I have read that if someone dies on Disney property - say from a heart attack, the body isn't pronounced dead until it has been removed to an off property location such as Sand Lake or Celebration Hospital.

Not nessisarily true. They keep trying to revive the person until they get to the hospital, when they are declared dead. There have been deaths on Disney property though

If this is true, why did Disney just have Orange County double the number of Sheriff's deputies on property.

Mostly speeding, as someone mentioned. The speed limit on property is 50mph, while most people drive regular highway speeds - between 65 and 70. It's a hazard for both guests driving the speed limit, and for the Disney bus drivers.

Not too long ago one of Disney's resort buses burned to the ground on World Drive ( least I think it was WD ). It never made national news.

It was on my local news back home.

--

About the suicide itself - The main reason it didn't see coverage, and they don't speak about it - is that nobody really needs to know. Disney would rather have you enjoy your vacation, than to think of it as the "time you saw someone jump to their death"

It's likely that the move to a different room would have been to get you either out of the tower into one of the wings, or into a different area, as to put you into a "New" or fresh environment to give you a fresh start to your vacation, in hopes you could enjoy the rest of it. Although it's hard to recover from seeing something as drastic as you witnessed, I'm sure that management was just trying to help you out by putting you in a different room. I can't see any way that it would have helped Disney by making you move.

 

[Gymbomom]

OP~~ I hope you are able to get "over" this terrible experience. You might have to stay at a different resort next time.

My hubby and I were with the kids 2 years ago ice skating at the Galleria in Dallas. It was Christmastime and the mall was packed. We witnessed a "jumper"/ suicide when we were there a couple of feet from the ice rink floor. My hubbby was closer to him and of course as soon as I realized what had happened I shielded the kids and got them out of there. My husband after we left had to pull the car over to be sick before we were out of the parking lot. He will never go in that mall again that is how bad he was.
I can't imagine having those memories of your favorite resort.

 

[yensid2005]

Thanks to all.... for the supportive post's.

 

[ralphd]

They talked about this on the news. It is because there is so much speeding on Disney property. I saw a story about this about a month ago.

Disney also stated that they wanted a more visual police presence on the property.

 

[Jakesmom1]

What a horrible thing to witness on your vacation, I hope you are doing well, and my heart goes out to the family of the victim.

I did hear about this on the radio, the next day or so, it happened around the same time as the little boy on MS correct?

I listen to talk radio, and they were discussing the two deaths at WDW within a day or two of each other. They said that someone jumped off thier balcony at CR. I too looked for more information at the time, but could find none in our local papers.

I hope you will be able to put this behind you, and enjoy Disney once again in the future.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Colleen, I can imagine how you must have felt. It is so hard to see another person in danger or pain. You handled a lot better than I would have. If I had been the only person who could have helped I would have managed to keep myself together but if someone else is able to take over I fall to pieces.

I am so sorry for the OP and others who were affected by this terrible occurrence. The only thing worse is to feel that others do not recognize your pain.

Slightly Goofy

 

[gina101]

I'm surprised they didn't put it in the paper. Mabye they didn't want to put it in there. Maybe they didn't want anybody to know. (probably not though) just this is the only way I can think why they wouldn't put it in the paper.

 

[Deafmedic]

Not all murders and suicides are reported in the papers or news. I worked as a paramedic while attending med school. I can honestly say about half of the shootings, stabbings or suicides were not in the news. Even now, about half are not reported in news or papers.
I can see Disney controlling what goes in the public domain when something of this nature happens on property.

 

[Bunch24]

Not all murders and suicides are reported in the papers or news. I worked as a paramedic while attending med school. I can honestly say about half of the shootings, stabbings or suicides were not in the news. Even now, about half are not reported in news or papers.
I can see Disney controlling what goes in the public domain when something of this nature happens on property.

First of all, Disney can't control what goes in police records, and newspapers can get police records whenever they want to.

Secondly, I work for a newspaper and it's pretty much a general rule that we don't report suicides. It's out of respect for the family. Murder/homicide is a little different, but suicides VERY RARELY get reported.

 

[Deafmedic]

First of all, Disney can't control what goes in police records, and newspapers can get police records whenever they want to.

Secondly, I work for a newspaper and it's pretty much a general rule that we don't report suicides. It's out of respect for the family. Murder/homicide is a little different, but suicides VERY RARELY get reported.

First, that may be true but we do know that Disney has some control, obviously.
Second, I know for a FACT that newspapers and TV news DO NOT report all murders. Maybe small town newspapers do but not all. When my office is called with questions regarding murders or suicides, I refer them to the appropiate agency whether it is city, county or state to answer all questions.

 

[rmdavis]

I have to agree with Deafmedic... I work for the fire department in a fairly large town 50,000 + pop. and I would have to say that probably less than 15-20 % of the things that we respond on ever get reported...

and I do offer My sympathies to those of you having had to witness these things... they can be tough to deal with.. but I can say out of experience one of the best ways is to talk about it... with family , friends, even your pastor or preacher if you have one...

 

[yensid2005]

Does anyone know.... does the general public also have access to police reports?

 

[Epcotgal]

I feel very sorry for the man and his family.

 

[Jen D]

Agree with Bunch24.

In NYC recently a bridge-jumper held up traffic and the NY Post (our lovely tabloid) did a cover story, and there was much clucking and head-shaking, because there has apparently been a general journalistic agreement not to cover these flamboyant suicides and suicide attempts from high profile locales, as the coverage encourages copycats (and the public interest is only a prurient one.)

So probably Orlando news outfits have this same policy.

 

[Amber Hand]

I knew the guy, that you are all talking about. His name was Mike. He has many friends, and family too. He was never really sad, he was always really glad to be alive and live his life as he wanted to. He would never have done such a horrible thing like going insane and jumping to lose everything. Mike was wonderful, gorgeous and a great guy on his way to being a great man. He had everything to live for and nowhere to start. Mike needed a hand and the devil reached it out. This man that I feel pushed him will soon know that his true colors will soon show. Mike is with me everyday and I feel that he knows his life has been delayed. But only until the truth can be relayed.

Amber

p.s. you can reply to this message if you feel that you should or if you have any information about that night. Please let me know, because I have things that need to be known. Thank you

 

[mom_rules]

I'm sorry for your loss and sincerely hope you find the answers you are looking for. A terrible tragedy.