Portland, OR — A tragic event unfolded at Portland International Airport (PDX) on Saturday when a man took his own life in the airport terminal. Authorities responded to the scene after receiving reports of an individual suffering from a self-inflicted injury. Upon arrival, police discovered that the man had slit his own throat following a long battle with depression and anxiety.
The incident took place in the airport’s parking lot area, prompting immediate action from emergency responders. Despite their efforts to provide medical assistance, the man succumbed to his injuries. The authorities have not yet released the man’s identity, but they have confirmed that the incident was a result of mental health struggles.
Tragic Incident Person Died From Self-Inflicted Injury
According to law enforcement, the man had been battling severe depression and anxiety, which may have contributed to his decision to end his life. The tragic event has left many in the community grieving, underscoring the ongoing mental health challenges faced by individuals in distress.
Portland International Airport officials have expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the man involved. “Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic event,” a spokesperson for the airport said. “We are working closely with local authorities as they investigate the incident.”
Onlookers Narrations
Multiple witnesses who reached out to our channel narrated the gruesome scene: I was the one who reported it. It happened in the terminal, not in the parking lot. The man slit his wrists, then both arms up to the elbow. Then he started slitting his throat. We were screaming at him telling him to stop and he just kept doing it. It took forever for anyone to come help. When they did they didn’t help. The police tasered him and he didn’t go down. Then they stood there and just watched him die. When he fell to the ground they did nothing to try to help him. To be fair, there was probably nothing they could do by that point.
What Happened At PDX Airport?
According to reports, a man took his own life at the Portland International Airport on December 28, 2024. The man who onlookers described as “troubled looking” cut his own wrists and throat in an apparent suicide attempt. The incident happened at the terminal between the American and Alaska ticket counters, a witness recounted.
The Portland Police Bureau has confirmed that there are no further threats to the public and that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. While they work to understand the full circumstances surrounding the event, authorities are urging anyone struggling with mental health issues to reach out for help.
The incident serves as a painful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for accessible resources for those battling depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Mental health professionals emphasize that individuals should never hesitate to seek support, whether through counseling, support groups, or crisis helplines.
In the wake of this tragedy, local mental health organizations and advocates are continuing to push for increased awareness and resources for those in need. Anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm or struggling with their mental health is encouraged to seek help immediately through available crisis intervention services.
For anyone in need of assistance, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
I was there and it was in the ticket lobby and not in the parking lot. Your facts are wrong.
ummm didnt happen in parking lot BUT in the main lobby, i was there:(
It was not in the parking lot. It took place in the terminal between the American and Alaska ticket counters. We were there.
This is not true. I was there. I was the one who reported it. It happened in the terminal not in the parking lot. The man slit his wrists, then both arms up to the elbow. Then he started slitting his throat. We were screaming at him telling him to stop and he just kept doing it. It took forever for anyone to come help. When they did they didn’t help. The police tazered him and he didn’t go down. Then they stood there and just watched him die. When he fell to the ground they did nothing to try to help him. To be fair, there was probably nothing they could do by that point.
I am so grateful to you for reporting this. I myself was there at the SWA ticket counter horrified as it seemed forever to get anyone there to assist. I was unable to carry on and take my flight after a few hours in the airport trying to process the events. I called PDX and talked to someone in communications to inquire if the gentleman had survived. They were unable to release that information to me and told me to call their TIP counseling hotline for I was still overcome with sadness and I did and the person that called me back was so unhelpful that I wish I could have recorded it. So aloof and had no regard for the situation so that made me more sad since this was the mental health line they were referring myself and possibly others to? I have the suicide hotline 811 on my signature even at work and am desperately hopeful for anyone feeling this is the only option that they can get help. I also couldn’t believe they were tasing him. This airport is so spacy with the new design and feel they had been too spread thin with any possible police or help available. I am also angry they alluded to it happening outside it was right at all the welcome back passenger benches. I will continue to pray that this young man rests in peace and I pray you all their with the rest of us at the time also find peace and comfort.
My cousin and I were sitting in the Country Cat Cafe near the Alaska terminal. My cousin turned around and said what is that man spilling on the floor. We realized he was sitting his wrist. I got up and ran towards the check-in area. I screamed call 911 get security a man is slitting his own wrist. Ticket person looked at me like a deer in the headlight. I think it took her a few seconds to press it what myself and everyone else was screaming. It took Security Police at least three or four minutes to get there. I stood 10 ft in front of the man. He had what seem to be a small pocket knife, and he had already ripped his left arm from elbow to wrist and was literally pulling his arteries out. The kid was probably 18 to 25 years old. I said look at me, please stop people love you. He tilted his head, looked in my eyes and started mutilating his left arm then went to his throat. He had his back towards the wall , there was no way to get behind him . There was so much blood on the floor. To give you a perspective if you had three cups of coffee and Spilled them in three spots that’s how much blood was there. The first two officers who got to the scene, had no sense of urgency and stood there, a couple more joined then they finally taste him twice it seemed to have no effect. They basically just stood there. I don’t know if that’s protocol but it didn’t seem like they did enough or anything. When the paramedics finally arrive there was no sense of urgency. They strolled casually towards him as if they were getting a cat out of a tree. I believe more could have been done to help this young man. My heart goes out to the family.
Oh JESUS CHRIST
wow, that “3 cups of cofy” descriptor sure helps us gain perspective! o-wise, we mite have thot it was more like 3 glasses of orange juice…
My cousin and I were sitting in the Country Cat Cafe near the Alaska terminal. My cousin turned around and said what is that man spilling on the floor. We realized he was sitting his wrist. I got up and ran towards the check-in area. I screamed call 911 get security a man is slitting his own wrist. Ticket person looked at me like a deer in the headlight. I think it took her a few seconds to press it what myself and everyone else was screaming. It took Security Police at least three or four minutes to get there. I stood 10 ft in front of the man. He had what seem to be a small pocket knife, and he had already ripped his left arm from elbow to wrist and was literally pulling his arteries out. The kid was probably 18 to 25 years old. I said look at me, please stop people love you. He tilted his head, looked in my eyes and started mutilating his left arm then went to his throat. He had his back towards the wall , there was no way to get behind him . There was so much blood on the floor. To give you a perspective if you had three cups of coffee and Spilled them in three spots that’s how much blood was there. The first two officers who got to the scene, had no sense of urgency and stood there, a couple more joined then they finally taste him twice it seemed to have no effect. They basically just stood there. I don’t know if that’s protocol but it didn’t seem like they did enough or anything. When the paramedics finally arrive there was no sense of urgency. They strolled casually towards him as if they were getting a cat out of a tree. I believe more could have been done to help this young man. My heart goes out to the family.
Thank you for trying to help. I was there, too, and couldn’t believe the slow response of the emergency personnel. If this had been a shooting incident, the airport would receive a failing grade and dozens of travelers would’ve been endangered. Training is desperately needed.
Again, thank you for trying to help this young man. I wish there had been some way to change the outcome.
First of all the incident did not happen in the parking lot as stated in the article.
My cousin and I were sitting in the Country Cat Cafe located across from Alaska Airlines bag drop. My cousin looked to the right of the cafe there’s a long corridor and a young man was standing against the wall. She said what is that man spilling on the floor? We both realized he was slitting his wrists. I got up and ran to the ticket counter and screamed a man is slitting his wrists call 911, call security. The woman looked at me like a deer in the Headlights, I think it took her a minute to realize what I was saying. I then went back to the young man I was 10 ft in front of him. He had already ripped his left arm from elbow to wrist and was pulling out his arteries. I asked him to look at me and said people love you stop. He tilted his head and look me in the eye and started mutilating his other , and then started on his throat. It took forever for security to show up. The first two officers on the scene stood there and did absolutely nothing. Three or for more officers joined, finally they taste the young man twice. It did absolutely nothing. The police officers continue to stand around and do absolutely nothing. When the paramedics finally showed up they strolled with no sense of urgency.
Thank you for trying to help him. He had a lot of issues and I wish I could have helped him to not do this to himself. Nathan shouldn’t have died that way. My heart breaks hearing this. He was 34 yrs old
Why we didn’t not see this news yesterday?
I was at Airport too.
Probably knew it was too late. Luckily I wasn’t there that day. I would have nightmares. But thank you for trying to help. Hopefully God took him in his arms.
How do I find the video footage?
These are genuinely wonderful ideas in concerning blogging.
You have touched some fastidious things here. Any way keep up wrinting.