Palos Hills Police Investigate Apparent Suicide At ComEd Tower

PALOS HILLS, IL — Palos Hills police are investigating what appears to be an apparent suicide that took place in public Thursday morning.

A police source told Patch that a man reportedly took his own life at the Commonwealth Edison tower near 78th Avenue and 101st Street. Images circulating social media showed police and fire agencies, and a ComEd crew attending to the scene.

Deputy Chief Tony Carroccio said in an email to Patch that Palos Hills police “are confirming a suicide with the [Cook County] medical examiner.”

A Wheaton man, 40, was taken from the location and pronounced dead around 8:21 a.m., according to Cook County Medical Examiner records. The cause and manner of death are pending.

The North Palos Dist. 117 Supt. Jeannie Stachowiak and Conrady Junior High Principal Adrienne Muniz sent an alert to parents informing that a small number of Conrady students “witnessed the result of a suicide on their way to school.”

“This incident … did NOT occur on school grounds. All students’ families that were on [the] bus that directly witnessed this situation were contacted via phone directly by me this morning,” Muniz said in her message, adding that social workers would be available to support students.

Rumors also circulated that the victim was a Stagg High School student, which proved to be false.

“The Palos Hills Police have informed us there is no connection between the deceased person and Stagg,” assistant principal Mary Pat Carr said. “We were very saddened to hear about this and will give support to any of our students who are feeling the impact of this in our community.”

A free, 24/7, confidential service can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress or those around them with support, information, and local resources. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).