Suicide

[Updated 6:53 a.m.: Police say the woman who jumped from five-story parking structure died from her injuries overnight in the hospital.] A woman who jumped off the five-story parking garage for Nordstrom on Central Avenue Tuesday afternoon was in “grave condition” as of Monday evening, police said. The woman, who police did not identify, fell 52 feet to a concrete sidewalk. Witnesses reported seeing her jump from the structure just south of Broadway at about 3:51 p.m. Northbound Central Avenue remained closed Monday afternoon as Glendale police investigated the incident.

A 23-year-old Burbank woman died Friday from a gunshot wound to the head after being transported to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center by her boyfriend in what officials described as a possible suicide. The woman, whose name was being withheld pending notification of family, arrived at the Burbank hospital Friday at 4 a.m. in a truck that was parked outside, said Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center spokeswoman Patricia Aidem. The woman was pronounced dead at the hospital, Aidem said.

NORTH GLENDALE — Police on Tuesday investigated a possible suicide attempt in a residential neighborhood one block away from Glendale Community College. The victim, described as a man in his early 20s, was taken Tuesday to a nearby hospital after sustaining blunt force trauma, which appeared to be from a fall, Glendale Police Tom Lorenz said. He declined to elaborate on how the fall occurred, but said friends and family told investigators that they believed it could have been a suicide attempt.

GLENDALE— The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles performed a somber musical tribute Saturday evening to gay men and women who have recently committed suicide after being bullied, and it struck an emotional chord with some local high school graduates. Chorus members placed a single red rose on a lone white stool in honor of men and women who were tormented for being gay and later killed themselves. "It shows a sense of support," said 19-year-old Glendale High School graduate Vaheh Gabri.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's brother died in San Diego after apparently jumping from a seven-story hotel near Balboa Park. Michael Portantino, 52, was the publisher of San Diego's Gay and Lesbian Times and a leader in the gay and lesbian community. His body was discovered Wednesday night. Local media reported that he was devastated after having to close the weekly publication in October due to financial difficulties. In a statement released by his family, he was remembered as a fierce advocate who worked tirelessly to push those around him to be live up to their fullest potential.

CITY HALL — Police officials assured at least one Glendale Police Advisory Council member Monday night that the turmoil consuming Burbank’s finest was a far cry from things here. Advisory council member Mike Gomez said he wanted to prevent tragic incidents similar to those that recently occurred in Burbank from happening in Glendale. He cited the recent public suicide of Burbank Police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn and the decision by Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr to step down at year’s end amid a slate of outside investigations, including by the FBI. “What assurances do you provide us .

LA CAÑADA — The shooter in last month’s murder-suicide in La Cañada Flintridge once lived with the female victim and her husband, investigators said this week. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide Det. Steve Lankford said Aaron Welch, 47, was previously a tenant of the Herrera family, having rented a room from Genny Herrera, 39, and her husband, Gerardo Herrera. Lankford could not say how long Welch lived with the Herreras or where the residence was located.

WEST BURBANK — An unidentified person was shot Wednesday afternoon while at the Firing-Line indoor shooting range on North Lake Street in Burbank, authorities said. The shooting is being treated as a suicide, Burbank Police Sgt. Travis Irving said. Officers were called to the indoor range at 1060 N. Lake St about 1:15 p.m. where they closed the site to the public and investigated whether the shooting was an accident or suicide. The range has had a deadly history.

DOWNTOWN — Flags outside police headquarters flapped at half-staff as candles were arranged to indicate the badge number of a sergeant who killed himself Thursday on a residential street corner. It was the first public display of grief over the suicide of Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn, who died Thursday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the corner of North Sunset Canyon Drive and East Harvard Road. Colleagues and passersby stopped in front of the police station Friday to remember the 22-year veteran of the force whose list of commendations included Ministerial Officer of the Year in 1992 and two Professional Esteem awards.