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Sam Sarpong Dies At 40 On California ‘Suicide Bridge,’ Sister June Sarpong Shocked By His Death

By Patrick Frye
Published on: 22:23 PST, Oct 29, 2015

Sam Sarpong’s death at 40 years old has has left his family in shock. The MTV host and former Tommy Hilfiger model plunged to his death off of California’s “suicide bridge” after police officers tried to talk him down unsuccessfully. Sam’s sister, June Sarpong says the family is in a “state of shock” as they prepare for the funeral, but she took time to warn others about suicidal thoughts.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, Sam Sarpong died in Pasedena, California on Monday. Concerned witnesses saw Sarpong standing on the Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge, which became infamous for its history of suicides over the last 103 years. Authorities built a suicide barrier to the bridge in recent years to try and prevent such tragedies, but it is still possible for a person to climb over the railings and fall to their death 150 feet below.

The Pasadena Police Department and several firefighters tried for seven hours to talk Sarpong down, but ultimately he chose to commit suicide by jumping into the Arroyo Seco River.

“It is sad and troubling when an individual has become so despondent that he or she feels their only option is to end their life,” Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said in a statement. “These incidents can often have a significant impact on the victim’s loved ones, first responders, and the community as a whole. My prayers go out to the family.”

Sam Sarpong’s family also released a statement saying that the “circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation and no additional details are known at this time.” But coroner Ed Winter, the spokesperson for the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, confirmed that Sarpong died from jumping off the bridge, although a final cause of death is pending a toxicology report.

TV presenter June Sarpong has responded to the death of her brother by spreading a message about fighting suicidal thoughts. June asks that anyone who is going through tough times to seek and “please talk to someone.” Her brother was still very young, and she also says that Sam Sarpong’s death at 40 has shaken her family.

“I love my brother very much. Sam was an amazing human being. His passing is a loss for the world,” she said, according to the Press Association. “My family and I are in a state of shock, please allow us to grieve in private. Thank you for all your messages of condolence.”

This statement echoes the previous release from Sam’s family.

“The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers and other expressions of sympathy, and request that privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time,” they said.

Other friends of the Sarpong family have taken to social media to pay tribute to their departed friend. Actor Wilmer Valderrama worked with Sam filming the hit MTV competition series, Yo Momma, and he also used his social media posts to speak out to anyone who currently find themselves “in a dark place.”

“PLEASE, please talk to someone. Anyone. Trust me that we WILL listen.. You are not alone, there are so many people that feel the same darkness, let’s help one another, let us shine hope on all those that need our understanding! Reach out to someone and make your first step towards living a life you deserve.”

Besides Sam’s role in the MTV series, the British actor was known for his roles on hit shows such as My So-Called Life, Boston Public, Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris, Cold Case, and 24.

Sam Sarpong is survived by his TV host sister, June Sarpong, and father, Samuel Sarpong Sr. He was age 40.

[Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for BET]

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