An unidentified man was found dead near a bridge at the intersection of Bernard Street and Stadium Way on Wednesday night, just blocks from Dodger Stadium, as thousands of fans watched the Los Angeles Dodgers battle the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings. Police received 911 calls around 8:48 p.m. reporting a body visible in plain sight, and officers who responded found no immediate signs of foul play.
According to TMZ, which cited a report first published by California Post, the man was found hanging from the bridge at the intersection, located less than half a mile from home plate. The Los Angeles Police Department told California Post that the man was discovered near Dodger Stadium, and TMZ reports that police do not believe foul play was involved, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. LAPD is investigating the death, per the outlet's report.
The discovery unfolded while Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers played the second game of their home series against the Cardinals, a contest the team ultimately lost 8-6 in extra innings. The bridge sits along Stadium Way, a roadway that funnels vehicle and foot traffic into Chavez Ravine at the border of Chinatown, Solano Canyon, and Elysian Park, according to the City of Los Angeles. That heavy foot traffic likely explains why the scene drew multiple 911 calls so quickly on a game night.
How LAPD Handles an Unattended Death
Standard protocol for LAPD officers responding to an unattended death calls for preserving the scene, interviewing any available witnesses, and documenting conditions before handing the case to county forensic investigators, per guidance from California State University, Northridge. Specialized homicide units only get involved if evidence of foul play surfaces during that initial assessment, which does not appear to be the case here.
Because the death does not currently appear suspicious, it now falls to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner to formally identify the man and determine an official cause and manner of death. Under California Government Code Section 27491, that office is legally required to investigate all sudden, unattended, or apparent suicide deaths. Those determinations typically depend on autopsy and toxicology results, meaning the identity of the man and the full circumstances of his death may not be confirmed for some time.
A Secluded Stretch With a History
The area surrounding Chavez Ravine has seen similar unattended death discoveries before. In September 2017, a body was found along the L.A. River in Elysian Park with no signs of foul play, according to CBS Los Angeles. Elysian Park spans more than 600 acres around the stadium complex, offering pockets of seclusion even amid one of the city's busiest sports corridors.
Suicide was the eighth leading cause of premature death in Los Angeles County in 2022, with 829 recorded deaths at an age-adjusted rate of 7.6 per 100,000 residents, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which completed its federal transition in July 2022, fielded more than 10.8 million calls, texts, and chats nationwide in its first two years, per the Federal Communications Commission. The line offers free, 24/7 call, text, and chat support for anyone struggling or in crisis.
As of Thursday, LAPD had not released the man's identity, and no further details on what led to his death had been made public. Anyone experiencing a crisis or thoughts of suicide can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by call, text, or chat at any hour.
