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Aug. 05, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Police say man found near "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign died of suicide

By MAGGIE LILLIS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Las Vegas police investigate a body found in a pickup at the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign at the south end of the Strip this morning. They determined that the man, who they did not identify, killed himself. It was the first suicide local officials could recall occurring at the sign.
GARY THOMPSON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

The famous diamond-shaped "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign — a site usually teeming with celebratory visitors — was somber for a few hours early today when a man was found dead there of an apparent suicide.

An off-duty Las Vegas police officer noticed the man slumped over the steering wheel of a brown pickup at the parking lot’s south edge near Russell Road about 5:30 a.m.

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    • Upon further investigation, the officer found him dead from an apparent gunshot wound. His death was later ruled a suicide.

    The Review-Journal has no record of other suicides at the sign, which has greeted visitors arriving at the nation’s gambling mecca for 50 years.

    And a longtime public official said he couldn’t recall anyone committing suicide near the iconic sign at the south end of the Strip.

    “No, I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Bruce Woodbury, 64, who served as Clark County commissioner for 28 years and grew up in Las Vegas.

    He wondered whether the person used the sign to make a macabre “welcome” statement.

    The parking lot and walkway added to the traffic median last year have made the sign safer for visitors who want to take pictures, he said. But the sign is also more accessible to others with darker motives.

    “There’s always a downside to anything you want to do,” Woodbury said.

    Metropolitan Police Department officials would not identify the man, provide details about his death, or speak to possible motives that could have led to his death. The man was found in a Toyota pickup with Nevada license plates that include a picture of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

    The sign was designed by Betty Willis in 1959 and is included in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

    Wednesday’s death was the second time in a month the sign was the site of bad news. In mid-July, vandals with a red marker scribbled initials on the bottom corner of the sign.

    Police Sgt. John Loretto couldn’t recall any other suicides near the sign, but said the location isn’t an integral detail to the man’s death.

    “To me, the fact that it’s at the sign is not unusual,” he said. “(No matter) the location, the method, it’s still a suicide.”

    As of 2006, Nevada had the fourth highest suicide rate in the country, according to Linda Flatt, a spokeswoman for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in Las Vegas.

    “There is a misconception that people come here with the intent to end their lives,” Flatt said. “There are public places across the U.S. that are so-called 'suicide destinations.’

    “The motivation is probably as different as each individual that chooses that destination to die.” Flatt wouldn’t speculate whether Wednesday’s suicide was related to attention seeking.

    “That answer obviously went to the grave with the person who died,” she said. Flatt encouraged anyone with suicidal thoughts to seek help by contacting 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

    Review-Journal reporter Scott Wyland contributed to this report. Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.

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    Pmoney wrote on August 07, 2009 10:59 AM: One less loser.


    LeahG wrote on August 07, 2009 09:00 AM: "Flatt wouldn’t speculate whether Wednesday’s suicide was related to attention seeking."

    O-M-G. I'm speechless.


    jasonwilliams wrote on August 06, 2009 12:02 AM: I'm sorry that this poor unfortunate soul decided to end his life regardless of the location. Remember it's NOT the end of the world until it's the end of the world. I've been down and out before and have thought about ending it, but wouldn't want to put my family through the agony, think about those you leave behind. They're the ones who will suffer. Be well everyone!


    Dan wrote on August 05, 2009 10:51 PM: Madonna'sBoyFriend....your exactly right they keep quiet about hotel suicides. Last summer mid 20s guy jumped off Sunset Stations parking garage, Warm Springs entrance.


    mikey wrote on August 05, 2009 10:38 PM: GOT ONE!


    Nicholas Cage wrote on August 05, 2009 09:36 PM: Tourists. Geez. They can't even do Leaving Las Vegas right. Ya gotta drink yourself to death despite a tramp tryin' to save ya. Or at least jump inside the Luxor.

    Or maybe this was a couple of Goodman's old clients celebrating the groundbreaking on the Mob Museum.


    WhatTheNeverMind wrote on August 05, 2009 09:33 PM: The World is coming to an end


    Rodman wrote on August 05, 2009 08:28 PM: Ok so heres another first list for LV; First to off himself at LV sign. Put it in the Guiness Book of Records, now that its gotten so much ink I'm sure it will inspire others to do the same.


    cophatersapuss wrote on August 05, 2009 08:15 PM: Maybe Cop hater had another booger wiped on him by a ... jock who picked on him in high school, while he played the tuba....


    Bee wrote on August 05, 2009 08:11 PM: Pretty SAD to see a GOOD thing for Las Vegas turned into a bad situation. We take history that has been here for a LONG time and make it accessable for enjoyment only to see it abused by vandels and now this..


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