Man Jumps to His Death from Radio Tower in New Jersey

**kellyhound** · #1 ● 10-23-2014, 07:56 AM

LONG BRANCH – Police have identified the who man jumped to his death from a radio tower on Broadway on Monday afternoon.

Christopher Zweidinger, 38, of the Whiting section of Manchester, was killed after he jumped from the tower and through the roof of a nearby abandoned building into the second floor.

Police received a call at 2:40 p.m. that someone was on the tower at 128 Broadway, near Liberty Street, said police Lt. Douglas Gotfredsen.

Police who arrived on the scene were in the process of moving spectators away from the crowded scene when Zweidinger jumped, about 10 minutes after the call came in, Gotfredsen said.

"They didn't get a chance to talk to him," Gotfredsen said. "They were in the process of calling a negotiator."

Zweidinger was about 200 feet up the tower at 3:01 p.m. when he removed his jacket and threw it to the ground before jumping, Roebuck said.

Search and rescue operations were put into place by the Long Branch Fire Department, who were assisted by the Asbury Park Fire Department.

However, the building was in a state of disrepair and was deemed unsafe for entry, hampering the efforts of the firefighters, Roebuck said.

Zweidinger's body was eventually located and removed from the building. He appeared to have died on impact.

Detective David House is investigating the incident, he said.

Zweidinger's vehicle was found at the scene, with his ID and a suicide note located inside, Roebuck said.

In April, an Elizabeth man, Pedro Macias, jumped from the same tower to his death. Police ruled the death a suicide.