Woman jumps to her death running from security at Providence Place Mall

July 16, 2015 8:55 pm

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

A woman is dead after jumping from the first floor garage at the Providence Place Mall Thursday night.

The 35-year-old was suspected of shop-lifting and confronted by Nordstrom security after she was accused of taking tags off clothing and returning them for cash.

Once confronted, police say she darted to the parking lot and jumped over the garage railing, falling 25 feet to her death.

It is unclear if she knew how far the drop was but police also say she was warned before doing so. It is unknown if it was a passerby or the loss prevention officer that told her not to jump.

“According to security personnel at the mall, from what they gathered through radio broadcast, they could hear someone telling her to get away from the edge, it's too close and it's dangerous,” said Providence Police Major David Lapatin.

She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The Department of Health says the woman died of “blunt force injuries of the torso.”

The woman is from Rhode Island but her identity has not been released at this time.

Spokesperson for Nordstrom, Tara Darrow, released a statement saying, "This is obviously a terrible situation. We are closely working with the police department on their investigation at this time."

Police are currently reviewing mall surveillance footage and talking to witnesses, but they are not charging anyone with a crime.