We got a tip this morning from a North Beach resident who was walking her dog around 7:15am today and saw a disturbing scene on Via Ferlinghetti off of Union Street (between Stockton Street and Jasper Place).
"The area in front of Tony's Pizza and the entrance to the alley behind were both cordoned off with yellow tape and there were police out front," the email read. "I then saw the medical examiner van pull up. Someone said that they had found a dead body in the alley propped up against the wall."
SFPD Central Station Capt. David Lazar confirmed that a body was found on Via Ferlinghetti around 6am, but said, "It appears to be a suicide." SFPD doesn't release details regarding suicides. The medical examiner is investigating, he said, adding, "Nothing appears to be suspicious or criminal in nature. We get a couple of these around this time of year."
The holidays are a particularly sensitive time for anyone who is depressed or at risk, so if you or someone you know needs help, visit San Francisco Suicide Prevention, call the crisis line at (415) 781-0500 or text MYLIFE to 741741.
