Fort Bragg is reeling from the death of 15-year-old Roy Mora, whose body was found beneath the Noyo Bridge two weeks after he went missing. The tragedy has reignited demands for suicide prevention measures on the bridge, which has seen six suicides since 2011. At a recent Public Safety Committee meeting, residents and officials called on Caltrans to install safety barriers, citing the success of the Golden Gate Bridge’s deterrent net. However, Caltrans has so far resisted changes, frustrating community efforts to prevent more lives from being lost.
Writing this story was a challenge, cutting through the raw grief of a mourning community while highlighting the urgent push for change. Roy Mora’s mother shared the heartbreak of her loss, and police officers recounted the toll of recovering bodies from the bridge. This story isn’t just about tragedy — it’s about a town determined to save lives and the uphill fight to make it happen.
Read it here.
Good article. This issue has affected virtually everyone in our entire coastal community, not just in town. Six successful suicides out of something like eleven attempts in as many years for one bridge in our small community, that’s ridiculous.
I do agree that the common tall suicide prevention fence is not a desirable solution. But this netting below really doesn’t need to be much more than the temporary ones used while working on the bridge to serve, although it can easily be made much better and looking from both above and below. It can’t be that costly.
Something needs to be done ASAP. At least this story should be sent to all our county, state and federal representatives, CalTrans, DOT, AAA, AARP and whoever may also be applicable or helpful that you can think of. If there is a formal petition out (there needs to be), where do I sign?
We’ll send you the bill.
The bridge is fine the way it is. I intend to take a walk across it shortly, not today, but maybe in a few days. I will enjoy the view.
Surely we need to spend money instead of just preventing the poisoning of our children’s minds which lead to this outcome every single time.
I don’t believe that her/his death has been determined to be a suicide. Last I read, a day or two ago,
cause of death was “under investigation”.
I
its the spiritual effects of the water (energy) . You live near water long enough you will feel the effects of it regardless of the outcomes and nature of the situations.