A man who jumped off a helicopter to his death has been identified as 61-year-old Gregory McFadden of West Covina.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Newport Beach police are investigating the incident as a suicide.
The Orange County Register reported yesterday that an unnamed man had died after jumping from a helicopter into the ocean from 500 feet above the Newport Beach shoreline.
Police are trying to determine what lead McFadden to jump from the moving helicopter.
McFadden had booked a flight for two, but showed up alone and paid $310 in advance for the flight.
When McFadden landed in the water he was unconscious and taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police believe that pilot Corbin Street tried to stop McFadden from jumping, and a struggle ensued.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing the incident.
There has been a recent development as to what may have caused McFadden to jump out of the moving helicopter.
According to ABC News the associated press talked to McFadden’s brother who told them that his brother had been unable to get surgery for a chronic health condition he had for 15 years.