A Durango man died Saturday after jumping from the Rivera Crossing Bridge behind Home Depot.
Ian Taylor, 31, was first reported missing by his girlfriend earlier in the day. The coroner’s office responded at 5:40 p.m., said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. Smith said she suspects narcotics were involved in the death, but foul play is not suspected; it appears Taylor died by suicide.
Taylor was living out of his vehicle at the time of his death.
Richard Dilworth, an advocate for Durango’s houseless population, said he didn’t know Taylor personally. However, he said cultural judgment and disparagement of houseless people can negatively impact individuals’ mental health.
For help
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering suicide can be found from these sources:
Axis Health System:
24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
Call or text 988
RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio:
(888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text hotline:
741741
Boys Town Hotline:
(800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado:
(877) 542-7233 or online at
https://safe2tell.org
Colorado Crisis Support Line:
(844) 493-8255. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis.
Second Wind Fund:
(720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
In October, another man experiencing homelessness took his own life in Durango.
Previous reporting indicates Taylor had his share of run-ins with the law. In a brief interview, Brandy Carl, a friend from childhood, described him as “a really (expletive) good person.”
Anyone in crisis or contemplating suicide should call Axis Health System crisis line at 247-5245 or can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
