An unidentified man was found dead near a bridge at the intersection of Bernard Street and Stadium Way on Wednesday night, just blocks from Dodger Stadium, as thousands of fans watched the Los Angeles Dodgers battle the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings. Police received 911 calls around 8:48 p.m. reporting a body visible in plain sight, and officers who responded found no immediate signs of foul play.
According to TMZ, which cited a report first published by California Post, the man was found hanging from the bridge at the intersection, located less than half a mile from home plate. The Los Angeles Police Department told California Post that the man was discovered near Dodger Stadium, and TMZ reports that police do not believe foul play was involved, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. LAPD is investigating the death, per the outlet’s report.
The discovery unfolded while Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers played the second game of their home series against the Cardinals, a contest the team ultimately lost 8-6 in extra innings. The bridge sits along Stadium Way, a roadway that funnels vehicle and foot traffic into Chavez Ravine at the border of Chinatown, Solano Canyon, and Elysian Park, according to the City of Los Angeles. That heavy foot traffic likely explains why the scene drew multiple 911 calls so quickly on a game night.
How LAPD Handles an Unattended Death
Standard protocol for LAPD officers responding to an unattended death calls for preserving the scene, interviewing any available witnesses, and documenting conditions before handing the case to county forensic investigators, per guidance from California State University, Northridge. Specialized homicide units only get involved if evidence of foul play surfaces during that initial assessment, which does not appear to be the case here…