Missing person: The San Francisco Police Department is asking the public to report any information regarding 19-year-old Sydney West who was last seen on Sept. 30, 2020, at SF's Crissy Field. "There were many people in that vicinity during that time," said Mr. West. She was last seen September 30, 2020, from the San Francisco area near the Golden Gate Bridge specifically around Crissy field. The corpse was pulled from the water by the Coast Guard a mile from the bridge 20 minutes later. I just read your post. They are doing a med wash and released me with no meds, and actually said if I come back, I will be admitted long term. KCBS IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF CBS BROADCASTING INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. In 2013, 118 potential jumpers were talked down from their attempts and did not jump. And for most of those whose lives were saved, life goes on for many more years to come. This is certainly true for me: narcissistic mother and sister. Please enter valid email address to continue. "Folks that have seen anything that resembles Sydney, we really want to collect information.". Sadly, your post is being used by some commenters to justify the Golden Gate Bridge net boondoggle. West's parents are asking anyone who may have been commuting or exercising on the bridge to come forward with anything they may have seen. 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. News. Same with divorce. Privacy Policy. True or false is a perception that changes from person to person. He traveled from L.A. to San Francisco days before the jump to prepare, and holed up in the Grand Southern Hotel on Mission Street with his cameraman to wait for a clear day so the footage would look beautiful when it was watched on news channels from coast to coast. Additionally, Hines takes medication and . San Francisco Police have previously said the teenager "is considered at risk due to depression." We dont like living in pain, and we look for ways of ending that pain and, being creatures of habit, we do it in old familiar ways because thats what we know. Throughout the years, Ive engaged in self-injurious behaviors. The suicide barrier on the Sydney Harbour Bridge simply rerouted jumpers to a cliff popularly known as The Gap. Obviously, the will to live does not reassert itself in everyone who has tried to die. "This will be the biggest jump of my life," he told her. Youve been through an enormous amount. I still think about suicide, although not as often. Sydneyhas light brown hair and blue eyes. 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. 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. For more information, please see our Wests parents said they have now hired a private investigator who is working with the San Francisco Police Department and Orange County (North Carolina) Sheriffs Department. 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. All clues so far, the family has revealed, have not been fruitful. At the time, a made for TV movie, named Silence of the Heart came out. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. While in Australia she started blogging about beginning to experience bouts of depression on top of her anxiety. West vanished Sept. 30 in San Francisco. Thank you for sharing, Stacy. Even though a prior suicide attempt dramatically increases the risk for future suicide, studies have demonstrated that most people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide: There are different possible reasons why people who attempt suicide, or try to make such an attempt, might choose afterward to stay alive. Challenges, extreme challenges. Until then, that instinct may have been obscured by depression, stress, hopelessness or despair. She had moved in with friends in San Francisco, where she was living when she disappeared. Thanks again. Your message here is a good one. Hines, who suffers from bipolar disorder, survived a jump from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in 2000. But as long as your solution is to kill yourself , you wont see them even if theyre right in front of you. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. Maybe some of the posts on this site could be helpful to him? The main principle to this is very simple Taking energy and harnessing it for the good and nothing can go wrong.. : The Fate of Suicide Attempt Survivors, A Follow-up Study of Suicide Attempters from. 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. On the morning of September 30, 2020, Sydney took a ride share service to the Golden Gate Bridge, where she often went to jog, practice yoga, and exercise in nearby Crissy Field. Dressed in a blue sweatshirt, leggings and Vans slip-on sneakers,. Her family is not giving up hope that she is still alive and remains determined to find her. I inherited two guns from my Dad, and I will take possession of them this month. 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. I worry almost everyday that Ill maim myself again and not die. Sydney is considered at risk due to depression, said SFPD Officer Robert Rueca to KRON4. As of 2013, it is estimated that 34 people have survived after jumping. Ive been hospitalized 4 times in the past 6 weeks, after my 9th suicide attempt. 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. Im recommending this because of your sense that you could have stopped the suicide from happening if you hadnt been so stupid, as you so painfully put it. You definitely are not alone, and it does often feel good to be honest about suicidal thoughts to speak what many people consider to be the unspeakable. I meant it, and I almost succeeded. Sydney Kaitlyn West, 19, was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge around 6:45 a.m. on September 30, 2020. Wests parents confirmed in a new video released late Thursday she was last seen shortly before 7 a.m. on the Golden Gate Bridge. Dont believe anyone who tells you differently. She is described as a white female, 5'10" and weighing about 130 pounds. Sydney West was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, walking near Crissy Field. Others need to respect the decision. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment. Simply put, means restriction saves lives. Woke up yesterday and realized I needed to make another pilgrimage before the series begins. I find myself returning to that time in my life and wondering if this is the way Im supposed to go, or if the survival instinct will continue to win. A good place to start is the Facebook group Live Through This. For me, the will to live kicked in. There are so many types of antidepressants these days (around 40), plus mood stabilizers, plus antipsychotic medications that can also be used to treat depression. Even though 2/3 are started by women, Virtually every article is written by women. The memoir Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide captures very well, to a painful degree, how someone who deeply loves their children can simultaneously feel pulled to end her life. Some die instantly from internal injuries, while others . 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Dec. 11, 2019 Updated: Dec. 12, 2019 8:06 a.m. 5. And now Ive been out of rehab for 5 months and its weird because all a sudden everything is going my way now. It is true that suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it. Everything says Get help. 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. Anyone interested in following the investigation may do so on Facebook or Instagram, and tag posts with #FindSydneyWest. Previously, police said she had not been seen or heard from since before dawn, on Sept. 29. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Kevin Briggs. But the cameras lost sight of her because of heavy fog, making it impossible to know what happened toher. Written forwww.speakingofsuicide.com. It gives me a good opportunity to dispel concerns that others may have, too. Trackback URL Im wondering if youve seen the post If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide. West was last seen on the Golden Gate Bridge onSept. 30, 2020 just before 7 a.m., according to the San Francisco Police Department. When I will be talking to him, also sure helps me to see I am suicide attempt survivor. "Together we will find Sydney and bring her home," her mother said. "Jump." That's the word Kevin Hines heard in his head on September 25, 2000, as he stood on the Golden Gate Bridge. Me and my childrens life broke into pieces and our life will never be the same. Millions of eyes are going to locate her better than 20 sets, Jay West said. I am hopeful that similar results will be found after the suicide barrier at the Golden Gate bridge is in place. I hope that he is able to get effective help, both psychologically and pharmaceutically. Being a freshman and isolated on campus due to the COVID pandemic was hard for West, her family said. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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.. We certainly do need to continue educating people about suicide prevention, including the reality that most people who survive a suicide attempt choose life afterwards. I feel if I constantly feel like this over the years why dont I just die now? She was, for a period of time, carrying a black backpack that she frequently used to get around town. She struggled with being so far away from her parents and sister, who reside in North Carolina. Have had lots of therapy after that. Lets get real here life sucks and its hard but dont give up. Leads continue to come in, her parents said. 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. Your battle won matters. This is perhaps the best argument for preventing suicide. After all, they were intent on dying. I couldnt pull all the way. Lorraine Rhodes was destitute, and asked Show Folks of America to help pay for the funeral, which they did. On average, 30 people or more die from suicide here each year. 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. She was at Crissy Field, near the bridge. What happens to them afterward? In 2013, Briggs retired from the California Highway . He struck the water with his face. West had just gone off to college to her dream school, University of California Berkeley. What do you tell the ones who still perceive they have no one how do I get through to him? I wonder if you might benefit from talking with like-minded folks at ChronicSuicideSupport.com. This is a terribly hard process, and I hope that youre able to get help and support from others. I often want to jump off the bridge by my apartment. Except that my fiance was making me depressed because he wouldnt move in with me again like how we were living together before. West, 20, grew up in Pleasanton, Calif. She was a star volleyball player at Foothill High School and loved singing at open mic nights. 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. ChiMaxx, thank you for writing and for raising important points in your comment. And the children are adults now. There was a 44% increase in jumping suicides per year at nearby sites (95% CI 15% to 81%), but the net gain was a 28% reduction in all jumping suicides per year in the study cities (95% CI 13% to 40%).. and the evidence around them is not good. I want you to know you are loveable and precious. What, Im supposed to carry on with the HOPE that things MIGHT get better. Copyright 2013-2023 Stacey Freedenthal. I address the myth of inevitable suicide in this post. At this point, the instinct is what keeps me living. Too, people who attempt suicide may receive the help they need afterwards. 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. September 30, 2020 was the last time anyone saw or heard from 19-year-old Sydney West. But he didnt and will never know that what he had actually solved only his own problem- feeling/depression. Note: I wanted to make this post to hopefully create some sort of discussion around the case since it was almost a year and a half ago. I love the analogy with weight loss. Thanks for sharing your story here. It is important to note that there has been no activity on her phone, bank accounts, or social media accounts since Sept. 30. As well, though, I believe I may have accidentally given myself something like ECT. America doesnt feed narcissistic people and men are more materialistic. I know someone who hanged themself 18 months ago after a buildup of personal problems and much alcohol that night, but rescue services were called and saved him. Yes I know this fear of failure as well. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe now to receive more just like it. Somehow I survived. Will I Be Committed to a Mental Hospital if I Tell a Therapist about my Suicidal Thoughts? similar to cancer ads, etc. I mean how long can I go ahead. Rhodes press agent, Susan Todd, told reporters that Dusty had painstakingly calculated the speed of his fall, how he would hit the water and other details, as he did when he prepared for his movie stunts. Try convincing someone like me that life is worth it. 10 Reasons Teens Avoid Telling Parents about Suicidal Thoughts. It was a serious, intentional attempt to end my own life. Your email address will not be published. Its always women telling men what we should be. We will never recover from it. I am a survivor as well of rape and spousal abuse, Am feeling empowered today, thanks to you. The instant regret of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge did not result in instant mental health recovery once Hines survived. Take a trip somewhere I mean what do you have to lose, on your journey to wherever you may see life worth living make yourself do something. 18 I held a gun to my head in my backyard w my finger on the trigger. Thanks for sharing, Anne. I am a three time attempt suicide survivor and it has been a year since my last attempt and the ideation has pretty much left me. Rhodes also made the news in 1946 on a radio program called Truth or Consequences in which he was bizarrely tasked with living on a traffic island on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea for three weeks. BERKELEY, CA The parents of Sydney "Syd" West, a missing person who was previously a University of California, Berkeley student, have divulged new details in her case and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Enter your email address to receive notifications by email of new posts. I hope you can find peace within. I pray tonight. The Golden Gate Bridge, which first opened in May 1937, was the most popular suicide site in the world during the documentary's filming, with approximately 1,200 deaths by 2003. We are going to keep looking.. Sydney West was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, walking near Crissy Field. It is also possible she was wearing eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. That's a mind-blowing statement. She vanished without a trace from San Francisco, California, near the Golden Gate Bridge, a popular tourist spot for many. "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. Obviously, I failed. SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) The family of a UC Berkeley freshman who disappeared last September has offered a $10,000 reward for information in connection with the case. Have you found commonality in your suicidal patients? That changes things. The Golden Gate Bridge came to be recognized as a symbol of the power and progress of the United States, and it set a precedent for suspension-bridge design around the world. Im about to be 22, medicated trying to live normal with constant suicidal thoughts. It was the last thing Dusty did, and it was a failure, she said. SF]. [This comment was edited, per the Comments Policy. . My overdose gave me seizures. It may feel 100% true to him. It was apparently very foggy that morning. I often think that if we are going to make up what we tell ourselves about our future, we might at least make it good. But I have. That is no way to live, but that is the reality. The Suicide Deterrent System, also known as the Safety Net, is being constructed to keep people from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Bridge, suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate in California to link San Francisco with Marin county to the north. He completed the challenge and won himself a taxi ride to New York. Peace be with you Steven. Sydney Kaitlyn West, 19, was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge around 6:45 a.m. on September 30, 2020. But what about people like me? Email: Andrew.Chamings@sfgate.com | Twitter: @AndrewChamings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sydney West never returned home, and has not been heard from since. It is true that. They would split the profits from the film 50/50. I just got out two days ago. A missing person case has also been launched in Orange County, North Carolina, where West's family lives. This research, though 35 years old, still holds true. Its death toll has since been surpassed only by the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in China.. r/redsox. Especially when its an opinion so your both right. User account menu. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Each year I did - 2004, 2007, and 2013 - the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. The persons reasons for dying may begin to fade. Of the 515 people whose attempt was interrupted, only 35 later died by suicide in the years to come. At the age of 19, Kevin Hines attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, an all-too-common act that nearly always results in death. The family of a Sydney West, a 19-year-old Pleasanton native and former Foothill High School student, is again asking the public for any information about their daughters whereabouts leading up to her disappearance last month in San Francisco. He had a gun in the house that he never used, was trying to sell, I didnt even think of it during this time. Theres just a lack of evidence that shes not with us anyone, Jay West said. I tried by drinking mosquito poison. I was determined and had written a detailed letter with instructions for the police and family. Her disappearance was every parents worst nightmare. Upon its completion in 1937, it was the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world. If you havent already joined a support group for other suicide loss survivors, that might help you; such groups are available in person and online. Sydney West's parents confirmed she was last seen on the Golden Gate Bridge. We remain hopeful that someone knows something that will be helpful in finding her.. After graduating high school in 2019, she decided to take a gap year in Australia. But the cameras lost sight of her because of heavy fog, making it impossible to know what happened. . First published on January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM SF]. Tears ago, when my children were younger, I actually reached a point where I went beyond imagining the trauma and lifelong suffering, to my children; such was my pain. In fact, Dusty told his friend to shoot from the bridge as it would be more dramatic, and besides, he would easily be able to swim to shore to a congratulatory, awestruck crowd of beach goers. Its a really simple concept. Dusty thought he could do the same but let everyone see it, and so employed the services of his pal, Hollywood cameraman Jose Guzman, to capture the jump on film. Hello Tony, so sorry for my belated response. My name is Steven. She is described as standing 5'10", weighing about 130 pounds, with light brown hair and blue eyes and possibly wearing glasses. She was last seen wearing a light teal hoodie, dark leggings, and slip-on vans sneakers with dark green and black print. More women attempt suicide but more men complete it because men use more lethal methods. The articles abstract states: Following the interventions, there was an 86% reduction in jumping suicides per year at the sites in question (95% CI 79% to 91%). Michael Horan at 415-553-1028 or the family's private investigator at 925-705-8328. 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. I hear you. Your email address will not be published. I agree with you completely, Anonymous. It amazes me that the vast majority of suicides are by men, and virtually all of the articles about it are by women. This Walking Pad treadmill made getting 10,000 steps a How to get tickets for Depeche Mode's new tour dates. East Bay Wine & Whimsy (Metaphysical Market), Before & After Photos Show CA's Snowpack, Reservoirs After Storms, Best Bay Area Sandwiches + Stranded Hiker Rescued: Saturday Smiles, Sprawling Estates, Suburban Dreams: 11 Featured Bay Area Homes, Berkeley Police Warn Of Vehicle Theft Rise, The Poop On Free-Range Cats And Your Lawn And Garden [Block Talk]. She talked to herfather on the phone the day before shewent missing. It is believed that she had moved out of the dorms into an apartment with some friends near campus. Berkeley when she went missing on September 30, 2020. Reach out to someone, anyone because I can tell you they have no idea how you feel. The 265-foot plunge off the most famous bridge in the world was right in his wheelhouse, until it wasnt. But things went wrong for Dusty as he climbed the rails to attempt the feat. West's parents are asking anyone who may have been. And its been a long term plan, for 35 years, but become refined in that time. They have a good, nonjudgmental, and supportive discussions at ChronicSuicideSupport.com/forum/. I have battled the thoughts of suicide for many years but after I had children those thoughts died. They lied about every imaginable factor of surviving in life. Since Sept. 30, there has been no activity on her phone or credit cards. And these different medications can be combined at various dosages. More often than not, the crisis passes. Therapists and doctors may help provide relief. 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 . 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 I got very drunk every time I drank after that, which was quite often. She replied, She probably figured she could fix you. This was the beginning of my recognition of the fact that I wasnt the horrible person I made myself out to be, in fact, my story is very much like a lot of alcoholics Ive met. My brother did the same in 2002. ive suffered depression for Years, 2 suicide attempts in 2008. I am resigned to staying alive until I die in some other way. The footage taken by Guzman didn't make the news, but was watched by a small, select group: the San Francisco coroners jury, which quickly ruled a case of accidental death from drowning a week later. He already had refused to get help or to stop drinking. Hundreds more are stopped from harming themselves through the efforts of the Golden Gate Bridge District . The tragedy of suicide is indisputable. It is always wonderful to hear from someone who made it out to the other side. The sad thing is that, as I say in my letter, some of what your friend thinks and believes may actually be true, but his mind is probably also shutting him out of other truths that could balance out his pain. Im sorry to hear of your loss I just hope that one day her family will get answers. So in a couple days with no vehicle no money and no job, Im just supposed to trudge on, because life is precious or whatever other placating device people Banty about? Photos purchased from Fotolia.com. Also Live Through This website has beautiful portraits (photographic but also in prose) of people who survived a suicide attempt. 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. But then they are stopped from jumping. The ongoing survival of people who attempt suicide is not (always) inevitable. 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. I was driving toward the Hoover Dam bypass bridge from Memphis over 4 years ago to jump off. Her family relocated to North Carolina in July 2017. I am a suicide survivor from India. 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.