South Jordan, Utah —Matt Pennington, Public Relations Officer for South Jordan Police Department has verified to Utah Stories that a young man’s body was found hanging from a bridge off of the Jordan River Parkway Trail.
The body was discovered early Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. A passerby initially thought it was a prank because it was near Halloween. They called it in any way and officers discovered that it was not a prank.
Pennington says, “The death has been classified as a suicide.“ Pennington went on to say, “I don’t know if they were hanging from a rope or a cable.” The deceased has been verified as 19-year-old Kaleb Droke. There are currently no suspicions of foul play. Still, the matter has been handed off to South Jordan’s Police investigative unit.
Officer Pennington says, “It’s sad for the family, it’s tough on the officers and firefighters who responded to help.” Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Droke family, as well as all families who have had sons or daughters who have committed suicide.
Utah’s teenage suicide rate remains one of the highest in the nation. If you or a loved one is contemplating suicide, please talk to someone. Call the suicide prevention lifeline at 988.
Utah Stories is working on an ongoing project investigating the deaths of homeless individuals who are possible murder victims. This story was tipped to us in relation to that ongoing investigation.
