Aketzali Lopez Suicide

INTRODUCTION:
This report is to document the death of Aketzali Yael Lopez by way of suicide.
LOCATION:
The Colorado Blvd. overpass above the South transitional 710 Freeway on-ramp is a commercial street. On both the North and South side of Colorado Blvd. the overpass has a metal wire fence attached to a concrete base and the fence measures approximately 20 feet high.

INVESTIGATION:
On 5/6/18, at approximately 0709 hours, I responded to the area of Colorado Blvd. and St. John Avenue regarding an investigation of a subject who jumped from the Colorado Blvd. overpass. Pasadena Police Dispatch advised the victim was F/B wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue jeans and the RP could see her down on the freeway under the Colorado Blvd. overpass.

On 5/6/18, at approximately 0712 hours, Sgt. Gomez and I arrived to the Colorado Blvd. overpass east of St John Avenue. I met with RP (Later identified as Edmund Camp) who pointed down to the freeway transition on-ramp under the Colorado Blvd. overpass. I saw a female wearing a blue sweater and blue jeans lying motionless on the right shoulder of the transitional overpass. Sgt. Gomez and I walked down to the freeway and Sgt. Gomez checked the victim’s (Later identified as Aketzali Yael Lopez) right carotid pulse.
Lopez was not breathing, did not have a pulse, and I saw a large puddle of bright red blood under her head and shoulder areas. Lopez’ body was lying on a left lateral position against the right shoulder on-ramp adjacent to the curb. Lopez’ was barefoot, her feet were pointing in a south facing direction and her head in a north facing direction. Lopez’ face appeared swollen and both of the anterior side of her toes had superficial abrasions to them.
I estimated the height from the top of the Colorado Blvd. overpass to where I found Lopez’ body to be approximately 6 to 8 building floors high. Based on the severe mechanism of injury, the immediate onset of no signs of life, and the severe head injury I saw on her, Sgt. Gomez and I pronounced Lopez death at approximately 0720 hours. Pasadena Fire Department (PFD) Engine 31 and RA 31 arrived to the scene and conquered with Lopez ‘death pronunciation. PFD covered Lopez’ body with a blanket and I remained on scene until the coroner arrived.
I spoke to witness Camp who told me the following in summary: On 5/6/18, at approximately 0709 hours, Camp was walking eastbound on Colorado Blvd. on the south side overpass east of St. John Avenue. During this time, Camp saw Lopez standing on the outside ledge of the overpass holding on to the fence. Camp reacted and said “What the fuck” and at the same time Lopez let go of the fence and felt down to the transitional on-ramp below the Colorado Blvd. overpass. Camp did not know Lopez and he immediately call 911.
On 5/6/18, at approximately 0835 hours, LA County Coroner Investigator Kelsie Weber # 519878 arrived and began to examine Lopez’ body.

Inside Lopez’ right front pant pocket, Investigator Weber found Lopez’ CA issued identification card F4297435 and a single “Toyota” car key. Investigator Weber palpated Lopez’ head and found it to be extremely soft to the touch and was very unstable. When Weber moved Lopez’ body and head, I saw a full thickness laceration approximately 4 to 6 inches to the top of Lopez’ head. Lopez’ left face was extremely swollen and it had multiple lacerations. Inside the puddle of bright red blood I saw multiple white matter tissue which based on my training and experienced, I recognized as brain matter. I asked Weber what she suspected the cause of death to be and Weber stated it was most likely due to the severe blunt force trauma to the

head.
On 5/6/18, at 0910 hours, LA County Coroner Forensic Attendant Cervantes #639654 arrived, took possession of Lopez’ body and transported it to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s station.

During the investigation, Pasadena Police Department ID tech Schmidt located a pair of black prescription glasses by the ledge on Colorado Blvd. where Lopez was seen standing. Schmidt also located a pair of sandals approximately 20 yards west from where Lopez’ body was found. Schmidt photographed the scene, gave Investigator Weber Lopez’ glasses, and he booked the sandals into evidence.
Investigator Weber took possession of Lopez’ CA ID, the car key and the prescription sunglasses and provided me with an inventory form. (See attached personal effects inventory).
A records check of Lopez revealed she was the owner of a 2015 Toyota CA 7UIS767. I canvassed the area for Lopez’ vehicle and I did not locate her vehicle. An Automated licensed Plate Reader (ALPR) search also revealed negative results for Lopez’ vehicle.
Investigator Weber advised me she was going to respond to Lopez’ residence to notify her

family.
On 5/6/18, at approximately 1230 hours, Lt. Grisaffe received a call regarding Lopez’ from California State University Los Angeles Police Department (CSLA PD) Corporal Sanglay.
I contacted Corporal Emmanuel Sanglay by phone and he told me the following in summary:
On 5/6/18, at approximately 0857 hours, Sanglay was dispatched to Lopez’ residence regarding a check the welfare investigation triggered by an e-mail Lopez’ sent to her professor on 5/5/18, at 2012 hours (CSLA Case # 18-00284). Sanglay contacted Lopez’ family and he found several “Goodbye letters” in Lopez’ bedroom which were addressed to Lopez’ girlfriend and her family. Sanglay told me Lopez’ suicide was possibly related to a recent break up with her girlfriend. Sanglay did not have any additional information. Sanglay sent me the original e-mail Lopez sent to her professor and it reads as follow:
“My name is Aketzali Lopez Cortez and I attend either your Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday night class. I am emailing you before I die. I wanted to ensure that I can pass the class. I won’t be able to make it to finals but I hope you guys can at least pass me with a C. So that my parents receive my diploma in the mail. I hope they come to you and tell you about what happened. But for now I say goodbye.” (See attached).
My investigation was captured in my department issued body worn camera (BWC) and Lt. Grisaffe was notified of the incident.
DISPOSITION:
Case forward to Detectives.