CENTRAL PARK, NY – Officers were confronted with a chilling scene while responding to a 911 call in Central Park Monday morning. In Heckscher Playground, a man was found fatally injured with multiple cuts on his neck, in an incident believed to be a suicide. Described as being in his 30s, the man was found around 8:30 am.
Initial reports suggested a shoelace had been found tied around the man’s neck. However, officials later clarified that it was a string from his hoodie.
The circumstances surrounding the man’s tragic death currently remain under investigation by the NYPD, who are not ruling out potential criminal involvement at this stage. The city medical examiner’s office will be responsible for issuing an official ruling on the cause of death.
The grim discovery, coupled with police activity, shocked visitors to the park. Among them was English tourist Colin Morris. Morris was planning to enjoy a leisurely walk around the park and some playtime at the playground with his sons, aged eight and nine. However, their plans were abruptly halted by the unidentified man’s unexpected death. Morris’ wife, Gemma, confessed that if they had been aware of such incidents occurring in the park earlier in their trip, they would have reconsidered visiting Central Park at night.
Having first opened its gates in 1926, Heckscher Playground is renowned as the largest playground sprawled over 4.5 acres in Central Park, setting precedence for the park’s 21 playgrounds.