Update: Weather Channel Meteorologist Death Ruled a Suicide

(Image: Legacy Guestbook)

The death of Nicholas Wiltgen, a veteran Weather Channel meteorologist whose car slammed into a Midtown parking garage Sunday night, has been ruled a suicide.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner made the announcement on Tuesday, according to the AJC.

Wiltgen was pronounced dead on the scene. Police originally said Wiltgen died of a heart attack, according to the AJC, but now say he died of craniocerebral trauma.

An online guestbook has been created in Wiltgen’s memory.

Witnesses told police that a Volkswagen Eos 3.2 was traveling at a high rate of speed before running into Colony Square’s parking garage wall. The vehicle slammed through the wall and into the W Atlanta-Midtown hotel, where it struck a person in a storage area.

Police say the person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Still unknown is what caused Wiltgen to slam into the parking garage at a high speed.

Colony Square management confirmed that the other person who was injured was not a hotel employee, as earlier reported.

“We are cooperating with Atlanta police as they continue their investigation into the incident,” the complex said in a statement. “At no time were visitors to Colony Square in danger, and we are relieved that no one in our parking area was injured. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and with the hotel worker.”

Wiltgen’s death may prompt an increased awareness of suicide prevention resources. Here’s a list of some organizations that offer support:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Georgia
• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Development Disabilities
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Georgia
• Georgia Suicide Hotline, Georgia
• The LINK Counseling Center
• Georgia Suicide Prevention Information Network

The Today Show’s Al Roker was one of many people who have been expressing their condolences over Wiltgen’s death.