Facebook Posts Contained Warning Signs Before Suicide Victim’s Death on Vincent Thomas Bridge

Photograph of Erik Bosques posted to his Facebook account on April 20, 2014. (photo: Facebook)

Erik Bosques’ recent social media posts contained warning signs before he took his life Sunday, July 20, by jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge. His ominous goodbyes and individual messages of thanks on his purported Facebook page days prior were one of several possible indications that Bosques would soon commit suicide.

Now, more than a week later, friends have written posts of condolences and shock on Facebook, stunned and saddened that the 20-year-old San Pedro man from Owensboro, Ky. is no longer present.

The most recent warnings began July 18 when Bosques updated his Facebook status: “I sincerely apologize for the past three years of my life. I’ve acted brash and bitterly in coping with a lot of family, relationship, mental, and physical pain. I was not right to choose the path I did for it has led me to a dead end. … I am going to kill myself for good. This I will, will, try my hardest to do no matter how hard it is to follow through. Because like I said I’m at a dead end in my life.”

Bosques’ confessions and behavior leading up to his suicide are noted symptoms of suicidal behavior. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) website, people who kill themselves display numerous signs, including: Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead; talking about a specific suicide plan; feeling hopeless or having no reason to live; feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation; and having the feeling of being a burden to others.

According to the AFSP, 50 percent to 75 percent of all people who attempt suicide tell someone about their intention.
Facebook friends offered their advice and support following his July 18 post, but it appeared Bosques did not respond to their comments.

The following day offered a possible clue about where his most recent feelings of grief stemmed, which read: “I cared about someone and got hurt. I can’t believe this is happening again.” The post included an embedded YouTube video to a song called “Passive” by A Perfect Circle.

On July 21, the day after Bosques took his life, Erica LaFranco, who called Bosques a friend, posted on her Facebook page: “I lost a friend of mine yesterday. I am completely heartbroken over it and still in shock… I did all that I could to help, but being a friend was all I could really do for him. I know he appreciated that. Rest in peace, Erik.”

For more information about suicide prevention, rick factors, and warning signs, visit the AFSP website at www.afsp.org.