Citrus Heights man takes fatal leap off Foresthill Bridge near Auburn
Body of suicide victim recovered Wednesday from isolated American River shoreline
A reportedly despondent Citrus Heights man took his life Tuesday by jumping off the Foresthill Bridge. The 27-year-old man's wife told Citrus Heights Police that he was depressed when he traveled to a Sierra resort to spend the day snowboarding. He called her from a bar near the resort saying he wouldn’t be coming home that day and was planning to spend the night at a nearby hotel, authorities said. The victim was identified Wednesday afternoon by the county coroner’s office as Andrew Pillado. Sgt. Kurt Walker of the Placer County Sheriff’s Department said an alert California Highway Patrol officer noticed an empty vehicle parked near the Foresthill Bridge at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday. He was on his way to work at the time but checked back at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday and saw keys were still in the ignition. A license plate check to see if the car was stolen led to a check with his wife and the possibility that the man had jumped off the bridge. At least 44 people have fallen or jumped to their deaths during the 34-year history of the bridge, according to an unofficial Journal count. The bridge is 730 feet above the north fork of the American River and the man's body was found Wednesday morning on the shore about 30 yards from the river, about 700 feet from the span’s railing. Sheriff's officers and a state Parks Department ranger hiked down to the body but needed the assistance of the highway patrol helicopter to airlift it out. The airlift was completed at 11 a.m. The man's death occurred just a day after a woman who told rescuers that she wanted to die had plunged down a steep embankment near the bridge. She survived, with serious leg and back injuries. The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.
Keywords
suicide, foresthill bridge, jump, jumper, Wednesday, Tuesday, snowboarder, citrus heights, man, 27, north fork, american river, auburn, placer county, california, death,
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tragic. saw deputies looking over the side of the bridge today, figured this was it.
I drove home from work and saw the vehicle there at 3pm yesterday. Thought it was strange because it was not parked in the normal gravel area. The truck was closer to the bridge than normal. I then saw it still there as I came back home at 4am this morning.
My heart goes out to his wife and family. Must have been pretty desparate to feel that he needed to end his life in this fashion.
If you find ourself in a depressed stated seek help. Good counseling and meds will help a ton. You will be missed if you decide to jump. Your decision will also impact way more people than you ever thought possible.
I will keep his wife and family in my prayers as they struggle with this.
May your Heart & Soul Rest In Peace A.M.P. You will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family & loved ones.
Love always, Jenn Johnson
very sad, only 27, My condolences to his wife. RIP
For all those who frequent the bridge in their daily travels take it slow over the bridge keep an eye out for things that do not seem right. Intuition could help somebody one day.
I hope this isn't a sign of the times. I know things can get bad, but speak to those you love. Be honest if you're in trouble. They may be mad, but they love you and will help you find help.
Family and friends, make yourselves readily available to those he's left behind. They'll need you.
Andy was a great guy! That is all I can think about saying when his name comes to my mind, he was soo generous, sweet, caring, and loving person!! My heart goes out to all his family, including his mom, who is the nicest person in the world, and his wife and child. He was a good friend of mine, and my brother in laws best friend!!! Andy, you have soo many people who love you and will always think of you. My prayers and thoughts are with his family, and if his family needs anything, I am here for you all. You will be missed ANDY!!!!!!!!!!!
Miss you, Krystina Kalapothakos
Pretty much every spring someone jumps, sad im thankful no one was underneath as its right off the trail, Ive had people drop things when I am on the trail and nearly hit me on several occasions, always look up before you go beneath...
When will they release his identity ? I am sure some of us would like to know if we knew him
LocalGirl: I understand that several local schools offer remedial reading courses that could help you with your reading comprehension problem. Give one of them a try.
commantor no need to be an ass get a grip, the only thing they change in the article was the one sentence my apologies. I am tracking more than one thing right now. I was only scimming the article. What an ass
People have no idea the impact suicide has on their family and friends. I have to see the aftermath of suicide and how devestated and guilty their families feel. It's so sad that people just don't see the way out of a temporary situation except by ending their life. My heart goes out to the wife and child this man left behind.
This is truly heartbreaking. I remember Andy from high school...it has been years since I've seen him, but I remember him as a very sweet and somewhat shy guy. My deepest condolences to his family and may the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Andy- I pray that your heart and soul finds peace and comfort...God Bless
Jenny Richie
Andy was one of the nicest, sweetest, most genuine people I have ever known. it breaks my heart to think that his daughter will never know her dad or why he left so suddenly. My heart goes out to his family.. I cannot even imagine how he felt to feel like this was the best, or only option. RIP.. you will be missed Andy.
Knowing this family for years and understanding how important the boys are to the parents, it breaks my heart to read this article. I pray for the best for everyone involved in this terrible tragedy. Rest in peace Andy.
I cannot believe you are gone. Our family has been through so much and I dont want to believe that you took the easy way out. You were the best godfather to my 5 boys that anybody could have asked for. They are going to miss you terribly. I hope you are up there taking care of your lil godson Alexander. Until we meet again. I miss and love you, and you know that I will be here taking care of the family.
I would also like to say that the beginging of this story is wrong. He left Monday morning in good spirit, happier than he has been in awhile. He felt great and was stoked to be headed out to go boarding.
He never called his wife to tell her he wouldnt be comming home. She called and reached him at 6:15pm , he was at a lodge and planned on getting some food and heading home. The first time his vehicle was spotted was at 9:07pm. His car was not there at 3pm like the first comment says, it must have been another vehicle that was seen. I know its sometimes hard for the media to get things correct. RIP CUPCAKE FACE. We miss u
Although you are gone, we still feel you with us, all the way in Australia. You were a great person, such a sweet guy with a great heart. I am glad i had the chance to know you. We love you and will miss you andy.
Kel
First of af all everyone needs to know that this article is not accurate. I am Andy's wife and I can tell you that he left me and our 2 girls very happy and loving that morning. He adored his friends and family. He is the love of my life and i miss him so bad. I need everyone who reads this to know that Andy was the best husband, father, son and friend that I know. He was generous, loving, sensitive and most of all loyal. His spirit will forever live in our daughter Madi and his step daughter Jayde. I love you Andrew, you are still my sunshine.
I love you and will take good care of our babies. I miss you more then anyone will ever know.
Love Sarah, Jayde and Moo moo
Sarah that just brought major tears to my eyes! I'm so sorry for your loss! I just want to say in the few short months I've known Andy he smiled more than some people I've known for many years! I saw the way he loved those baby girls! Those girls meant the world to him! Andy you will be missed terribly by your family and so many friends! I'm trying to help your father through this the best I can, you know you were his soldier!!!! You know I'm here for anything any of you might need! R.I.P Andrew, you will be deeply missed and never forgotten!!! Yvonne
Andy was adventerous....not suicidal. He loved to smoke in unusual places. The view from there is unusually beautiful. Who is to say he didn't try to sit there (on the railing) for a smoke break and slip. I could hardly get my ass up there sober. But Ya, what a great dude. Feel fortunate to have known a saint. Andy told me he loved me everyday. He hated to let me down or anyone for that matter. I would laugh it off and say seriously bro...you couldn let anyone down so quit! Everyone here would agree I'm sure.
Love you Andy, bestest buddy in the whole wide world, me and Jessie are gonna arm wrestle for the 53'. I'm gonna let him win but dont tell him.
= ( -Ryan G.
Panda I still am having a hard time thinking you are gone....I my heart i know that you flew just like an angel would have. You were the most thoughtful, loving man, out of all the Boys you were the one i could talk to about anything, I miss you soooo much. I know that you you are no longer sick or in pain, that's what keeps me going threw these days. I know that you are in good hands. Jesse the grils and I love you very much, you will always be in our heart. We will always be hear for Sarah, Jayde and Madi. Rest in peace my Panda.
Love Teresa
Baby Andy...the very first grandbaby - I will forever remember your stunningly beautiful face and the site of you in your playpen in grandma (chick's) and papa's kitchen on San Jose Avenue. Rest sweet boy.
Love,
"Auntie" Kriss
My Dear Andy, I love you more than anyone could know. I will forever hold my memories of you deep in my heart. Me and your cousins, Nick, Blake and Ronnie may have not been around as much as I wanted to be but you were always in our thoughts and loved so freakin much. The boys are gonna help get that car done for your sweet baby girl. i'm not mad at you at all if you chose to go away my baby, I jus miss you and am so sorry I missed out on too much of you. I see how much you are loved and my heart knows why....YOU ARE FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!
We'll meet again, beyond this earth, beyond the starie sky, among the angles who don't know a word that means goodbye. I know you are with Grandma Chick..........How are you two feelin in them there wings? XOXOXOXOXOXO
Lovin you foralways,
Auntie Ronda.
Sweet Dear Ronda, Andy knew we all love him! I agree I also hold Andy in my heart the memories of our sweet, sweet Andy in my heart! Ce and lil-Adrian also his cousins, which by the way, Ce & lil-Adrian always call you Auntie Ronda, and Kim , Auntie Kim, & their sweet Auntie Kathy. I'm also not mad at him! How can anyone be mad at sweet Andy? If Andy was depressed it had nothing about him being selfish which I have read people write, Depression is a disorder, like a disease, if that was Andys case. No one is mad at a person that passes away from cancer! I understand Liz set up a trust fund for Andy's daughter! The last time I talked with our sweet Andy was the end of Dec, or just after the 1st of Jan. Our sweet, sweet Andy, is so loved by many! And all that knew him are blessed! to have known our sweet, sweet Andy.Thank God Andys is at peace, and with his Grnadma Chick............ Such a strong loving part of Andy's life. I also loved her very much! And if anyone thinks they will make it up to heaven and try to kick andy's butt, Hello, they need to go through God, and his loving Grandma Chick............ it's not going to happen!
I share your love for our sweet Andy, we are so blessed to be part of his lfe.
I miss you our Dear sweet Andy (Drew) forever in our hearts, forever in our prayers.......... you have made us all better people just knowing you, and loving you! Andy your our angel............. God Bless you and all that love you!
So much love to our sweet Andy
I remember one of the books we shared called "I love you for ever,,,,,,,, miss you for always..... as long as I'm living my baby you will be!
R.I.P our sweet, sweet Andy..............Send my love to your loving Grandma Chick
I love you, I miss you!
Love Auntie Donna
I just learned of Andy's tragic death this morning and I am so saddened that our world has lost such a beautiful soul. I only knew Andy for a short time as my next door neighbor in Long Beach, CA. However, in that short time I that I got to know him I could see that he was a compassionate, kind and generous person and passionate about finding work customizing cars, surfing and just hanging out listening to music and sharing good times. When he decided suddenly to move back home north I was taken aback and sad to see him go. I had not heard from him or much about him since he had moved back north. I had no idea that he had a wife and daughter! My heart and prayers go out to you and his family. I am sure all of you will miss him dearly. God Bless.
I have a picture of Andy from the Belmont Car Show I took when we were there a few years ago. If anyone wants a copy send me an email and I will happily forward it.
Ron Turner
Phoenix, AZ
sevenravens@gmail.com
RIP
RIP BRO YOU WILL BE VERY MISSED FROM EVERYBODY, ME AND MY WIFES HEARTS GO;S OUT TO YOUR FAMILY, KEEP IT REAL AND SMOOTH WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN BRO
ROBERT & SONYA SMITH
Andy my love,
Me and the girls miss you everday, I cannot expain the pain and hurt we feel. We love you so much, our daughter is crawling all over the place and she says DaDa......Jayde is having a hard time, she misses you so much. I need you Andy
I love you and please look after us
Love your wife and your girls
Panda,you are dearly missed ,and you will never be forgotten.You were one of my brother's best friends and a big part of his life.
R.I.P
hey its norman jr. just wanted to say that i am heart broken to find out as i come back from deployment that i have lost a great friend in andy from my childhood. i have not seen him in years since beeing deployed but i have always asked about him to matt and brandon. i am truly sorry for everyones loss. i have not had the pleasure of knowing his wife and children but i knew him all my childhood. taking trips with big art and kat and the boys when they had the white 4runner. seenig little art when he and andy got heavy into bmx. (i always wanted a mongoose) when they had the white 4runner. dante' beeing born. the rotty in the back. playing football togher. even our little fight we had in ryan's drive way. the memories are so clear. if any one knows how to get ahold of the family please e-mail me at eugene.davis48@vzw.blackberry.net or eugenedavis6701@yahoo.com. they both go straight to my phone. i looked up to you Andy when we were boys. now i look up at you as a man. i miss you bro.