Los Angeles coroner rules skyscraper plunge a suicide
By Associated Press
Mar 24, 2016 11:42 AM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled that a man who fell 53 stories to his death at the Wilshire Grand Center skyscraper construction site a week ago intentionally killed himself.

Thirty-six-year-old Joseph Sabbatino's father earlier told KABC-TV that his son struggled with depression and had been prescribed medication. Coroner's Lt. David Smith confirmed Thursday that the death was a suicide.

The 53rd level had a barricade to prevent falls, and the company issued a statement saying the incident was not work related.

The builder gave nearly 1,000 workers a day off after the incident.