US Authorities Confirm Two Apparent Suicides at Disney Park in Florida

US forensic authorities confirmed on Monday the suicide of two individuals, both with histories of mental health issues, in two separate incidents at the Disney World park in Orlando, Florida.

Deaths Ruled as Apparent Suicides

The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office informed EFE that Summer Equitz, 31, was found dead on October 14th at the Disney's Contemporary Resort, near the Magic Kingdom park. The cause of her death appears to be a suicide after jumping from the 12th floor, according to the Medical Examiner's Office (MEO). Equitz, who suffered from mental disorders and depression, had been reported missing in Illinois and had expressed suicidal ideas before disappearing, authorities detailed.

The MEO also reported that on October 23rd, Matthew Cohn, 28, was found by a passerby on a walkway at the same hotel, with the suspicion of having jumped from his room. The parents of the deceased revealed that their son had a history of alcohol consumption and suffered from mental health problems, according to the authorities. The family members also indicated that their son had recently attempted to purchase a weapon with the intention of committing suicide.

A Third Medical Incident Reported

In a separate incident on October 21st, Keith Patterson, 60, suffered a medical episode at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and later died at a local hospital. With a history of hypertension and terminal liver disease, the man was found unconscious in bed by his wife. Authorities stated that there were no signs of a crime nor drug use at the scene and clarified to EFE that this death occurred at the hospital, not in the park, as others have erroneously reported.

US authorities remind individuals facing a crisis or having suicidal thoughts that immediate support is available by calling the 988 hotline.