A man found dead at a Central Park playground Monday morning is believed to have died by possible suicide, according to the NYPD.
“Our preliminary theory and investigation indicates that his injuries could have been self-inflicted,” Assistant Chief Ruel Stephenson said at a press conference at the scene Monday afternoon, noting the man had sustained several injuries around his stomach, chest and neck.
Inspector John Wilson said officers recovered a knife with blood on it in a pocket of a sweatshirt the man was wearing. His body was found on a paved area, away from the playground’s equipment and restrooms.
Police had earlier said they responded to a 911 call shortly after 8:30 a.m. and found a man with multiple laceration wounds near Center Drive and 62nd Street. The city’s medical examiner is performing an autopsy on the man’s body and will determine the cause of death, Stephenson said.
Tiunz Tiuonz, a worker for the Central Park Conservancy, told Gothamist he found the body at approximately 8:30 a.m. at the Heckscher Playground, located on the park’s south end.
“I saw him lie on the ground and no movement,” Tiuonz recalled. “I said, ‘hey amigo, wake up, wake up,’ but he’s not moving. I think something is wrong, so I called my supervisor.”
He added that he didn't see anyone else nearby before finding the body, which he described as a tall, slim white person.
Police estimated the man was 36-years old. His identity has not been released, pending notification of his family.
This story was updated with additional information.
