Person dies after fall from lookout tower at Robinson Preserve, sheriff’s office says

Note: Anyone who is thinking about suicide should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for confidential support and direction to helpful resources.

Emergency responders were called to Robinson Preserve in Bradenton shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday for a report that a person had fallen from the 40-foot lookout tower located inside of the park.

Several visitors at the Manatee County park witnessed the incident, and the area surrounding the tower was closed to the public on Wednesday afternoon as deputies investigated.

Following the investigation, the death was ruled a suicide, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Randy Warren.

“As we’ve talked to more witnesses, people did see him jumping from the tower,” Warren said on Wednesday evening. “This is being ruled a suicide. It is very tragic.”

The person was dead by the time Manatee County EMS units arrived.

The incident remains under investigation, according to Warren. The scene was expected to be cleared by Thursday night.

This story was originally published November 25, 2020 at 5:19 PM.