Authorities: Man who died in fall from Pilsen church committed suicide

A 25-year-old man took his own life by jumping 16 stories from scaffolding around a church tower in the Pilsen neighborhood Wednesday night, authorities said.

The man’s name still was being withheld Saturday night pending family notification, but a Thursday autopsy ruled his death a suicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

A woman called 911 about 7 p.m. and told police she saw a man about 16 stories high on scaffolding around the tower above Saint Aldabert Catholic Church at 1650 W. 17th St., according to Chicago Police.

The witness said she saw the man put his hands over his face and jump, police said. He landed inside a courtyard at the church and was dead at the scene.

A source said the man is a neighborhood resident, but it was not known whether he was a member of the church.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Archdiocese are with the young man and his family,” a statement from Archdiocese of Chicago spokeswoman Susan Burritt said.

“We are fully cooperating with the Chicago Police Department officials who are conducting the investigation,” Burritt added.

Area Central detectives were conducting a death investigation.

Saint Aldabert has 185-foot twin towers flanking its entrance, according to the church’s website. The church is trying to raise $3 million to renovate the 100-year-old towers, which are surrounded by scaffolding to protect passers-by below from possible falling bricks or masonry.