Community member shares concern after recent suicide at downtown Columbia parking garage
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Community members are concerned following another public suicide this week at the downtown parking garage at Fifth and Walnut streets.
On Thursday, one person was found dead in the alley near the parking garage.
The Columbia Police Department said it will not release additional information about the case due to the nature of the incident.
The death has renewed concerns about safety at the garage, where the city has made multiple efforts in recent years to prevent similar incidents.
Columbia native Jonathan White said the issue is deeply personal. White was a close friend of Haven Thomason, who died by suicide in Sept. 2021 at the same garage at age 23.
“It’s really sad. I mean, we’re in the teens now on the number of people who have unfortunately chosen to take their own life via that means,” White said.
White said Thomason had a strong support system, but acknowledged how difficult it can be for people experiencing depression to recognize that support.
“I miss her a lot and she had a huge community of support, but when you’re going through depression and not feeling okay, it’s hard to see,” White said.
White previously worked at a nearby building and described repeated emergency responses at the garage as traumatic.
Following Thomason’s death, White created a petition urging the city to install safety barriers at the structure. While the petition did not reach its goal, he said it reflected a broader concern in the community.
"It was something that needed to be addressed in some way shape of form." White said. "All I was thinking about was the human cost of life."
In September 2021, city officials closed the two upper levels of the garage by boarding up parking entrances and stairwell doors and shutting down elevator access to the eighth and ninth floors.
Those restrictions remained in place for nearly two years.
On Feb. 27, 2023, the city invested $911,000 in additional safety improvements. The project included installing steel panels to cover approximately 150 openings from the fifth through the eighth levels, as well as adding a 10.5-foot fence around the top level of the structure.
In addition, the city has closed the top floor of the garage for large events like the University of Missouri’s homecoming the past two years.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll said she was saddened to learn of another death at the parking garage. She added that she plans to contact the city manager to discuss what additional safety measures could be put in place at the facility.
“I really admire and appreciate the city planners and city council for taking it seriously. It did take a while to install those safety precautions and unfortunately, it has still happened again,” White said.
ABC 17 has reached out to the city for comment on its next steps, but has not yet received a response.
According to the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Missouri ranked 13th highest in the nation for suicides in 2018. The report also found suicide rates in the state increased by more than 30% since 1999.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
