German youth made death jump

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Police confirmed yesterday that the 17-year-old German youth who was found dead at the Royal Park condominium on Tuesday morning had committed suicide.

According to OIC Welikada CI Sagara Liyanage, Reto Carl Joseph Steurer who was found dead outside the perimeter of the Royal Park Block ‘B’ had committed suicide.

“This was confirmed by the nature of his internal and external injuries and the manner his body was lying after the fall from the top,” he added.

“His legs and hands were stretched on the ground. We can also say from the position he was found whether he was pushed or jumped out of the building. If anybody was forcibly pushed out, the victim’s head will hit the ground first. If someone jumped, it is the person’s legs that hit the ground first,” CI Liyanage told the Daily News.

He said that body was found with the hands and legs extended on the ground and his limbs were broken. There were also several bruises on his legs. Death was due to internal bleeding.

“We suspect that the youth jumped out from the 22nd floor and before committing suicide sent SMS messages to his parents and sister saying I am sorry,” CI Liyanage.

He said the youth was psychologically disturbed and was a frequent visitor to Royal Park Residencies.

“During the inquiry we found that he had an affair with a German girl in the same apartment building from where he jumped and he tried to contact her before the incident but failed to get through.”

Welikada Police are the investigating.