E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSA California man who traveled to Alaska to become a fisherman after watching "Deadliest Catch" leaped to his death at the Port of Anchorage early Wednesday, police said.
The 31-year-old man had been in the city less than 24 hours when he was picked up by police after saying he wanted to hurt himself. He said he came to Alaska because he wanted to be a fisherman after watching a few episodes of the reality show "Deadliest Catch," police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker told msnbc.com.
"We get a lot of people who come to Alaska who have strange ideas of what Alaska's about," he said.
Police said officers took the man to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute around 3 a.m., but he was released two and a half hours later with a taxi voucher to go to a local shelter.
"He only had $70 in his pocket; apparently he was somewhat despondent," Parker told NBC station KTUU. "(Alaska) turned out, perhaps, to be something different than he had anticipated."
Around 6 a.m., he forced the cab driver out of the taxi and drove to the port.
"Since he didn't really know the city, that's where he ended up." Parker said.
After speeding through a port checkpoint, he abandoned the car and climbed a 50-foot fuel tank.
Parker said that after port security called the police, the man jumped off the tank onto a platform and died around 6:30 a.m.
His identity is being withheld until next of kin can be notified.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Witness says Sandusky threatened him unless he kept quiet
- Remains of missing Maryland teen identified after 32 years
- Metallica helps FBI try to track down killer of Virginia Tech student
- Blinded soldier aims for Paralympic Games in London
- Video: Caught on camera: Toddler tossed during car chase
Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
He had to be a Californian.
D@mn straight!!
At least he didn't kill or hurt anyone else.
Stupid remark kountryking. This is from a Californian.
What does that mean? If anything I am surprised it wasn't a Texan or Floridian. Regards from California.
Wasn't Reagen from California? Wow, you're right! They're all crazy! Heheheheheh
This is really sad. People are so desperate now days to find that one golden ticket, then when they figure out that there isn't one, they do this stuff.
another silent murder by the TV set, the non reality show , people need to get out for real and plan and prepare and train for things as they are the purposes of the Lord our God or else you are just a miserable spectator wishing you were someone else or wishing for the big adventure, yes we need to awaken to reality and "live it" but go in with the proper training, welfare mentality and false dreams are killing people into complacent digital caves, killing the human spirit of risk and sacrifice that can be built upon with confidence and bravery by making the attempt and taking steps of faith and going for things with prayer and training and starting at the bottom and not taking easy ways or short cuts. TV is a false view and a mask, and even the reality show they never show the many years of experience that went along prior, the practice , the hard work and effort leading up to difficult tasks that maybe anyone can do but the hard stuff is made to look easy when executed well and on TV you are seeing the fruits of long hardships and efforts. People need to realize they have a purpose and there is a plan and if you want to live on the edge follow Christ and you will find and extraordinary adventure awaiting you that is not a "religious" experience but a real one. Did I mention "KILL YOUR TELEVISION"
Um, yep. No craziness here. Nope.
I wonder why he didn't spend the $70 first.
In our blameless society, I'm sure his family lawyer is suing the Discovery Channel. They are probably working to ban crab fishing in Alaska so "this never happens again".
Mike I hate to say it but you're probably right. Stupid lawyers. They should outlaw frivolous lawsuits!
That would put about 99% of the lawyers out of work. Oh well no loss considering what these lawsuits cost the rest of us every year.
Be careful what you wish for. Life is hard adn to me , it is easy to see that this man was not very well informed as to what he was getting into.
A 31 year old man from California or anywhere else should not have to feel so bad that they will end their life in such distress. As human beings we need to respect and support each other no matter the circumstances. Mental and physical illness, the stress of living through a world-wide depression and all the everyday challenges of life are overcoming many people. Our ability to make people feel accepted, to help in some way or maybe just to listen to someone seems to be needed more now than ever before.
Long way to go for that last 50 feet.
It's not the fall, it is the sudden stop.
Sounds like he may have been suffering some sort of delusional episode--mania perhaps. It's a sad story, especially considering the loneliness and desperation this man must have felt at the end so far from home. Alaska, indeed.
maybe he caught the same mental retard virus that has infected sarah palins whole family. maybe theres hope for sarah too.
Looks like "Patient Zero" has chimed in........
fuel tanks kill people not guns ..Sara Palin is right
Wonder if it was my ex? He was delusional. Thought he was one of the "Miami Vice" guys then thought he was the Highlander. Waaaaay too much TV.
@kountryking ----You're just jealous because you're not from California. Everyone criticizes it and probably has never even visited or lived here. It has the best weather, beaches, mountains, entertainment. Rather be here than live in a boring, hell hole.
@Brian1238 and that is your opinion, I have been to California and I prefer the east coast to the West, it is too expensive, too many gangs and the nutty celebrities. You can have it. That is my opinion.
That is tragic that he felt so bad that he took his own life.
I'm sure this man had family. My prayers goes out to all of them.
Poor Guy.
Soooooooooooo, the guy says he wants to hurt himself and they pick him up and hold him for less than 4 hours then give him a cab voucher to just go away. Huh, says a lot about how Alaska deals with problems. I know in Florida if you said something like that you were watched for two days, not two minutes.
Too much TV makes a person stupid.
2 dead in possible murder-suicide at LA's Beverly Hilton, the rich can not control themselves. But according to @Brian1238 California is the best place to live. I say it is full of nutty vegan people.