67-year-old man dies after jumping off cable bridge into frigid Columbia River

A 67-year-old man has died after being pulled from the Columbia River after he jumped off the cable bridge.

Charles R. Frederick of Kennewick had parked by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial near the Lampson International headquarters on the south end of the bridge and walked a third of the way across before climbing over the railing, said investigators.

A passerby called 911 after seeing him jump about 54 feet into the river about 9 a.m. Tuesday, Kennewick Battalion Chief Jake Van Horn told the Tri-City Herald.

The Pasco Fire Department launched it’s rescue boat and found Frederick floating in the river about 15 to 20 minutes after he went into the water, Deputy Coroner Dennis Morris said.

He was taken to the Clover Island Marina where Kennewick medics performed CPR and took him to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, where he was pronounced dead.

Coroner officials reported that Frederick had struggled with mental health issues in recent years, and his death is expected to be ruled a suicide.

This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 11:13 AM.