Dry Falls death is ruled a suicide

COULEE CITY - Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison identified the man who jumped to his death from a ridge at Dry Falls Saturday.

The deceased was identified as 60-year-old Chris R. Jensen from Fox Island, which is near Tacoma.

Jensen was with his wife and adult daughter when he arrived at Dry Falls State Park Visitor Center, about 5 miles south of Coulee City, according to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones.

He exited his car and ran, then jumped over a chain to fall roughly 200 feet over a cliff

Jensen's death was conclusively determined to be suicide.

"It was absolutely unexpected by his family ... terribly tragic," said Jones.

His death was caused by blunt force trauma of the head and torso, according to Morrison.

"We feel terrible for the victim's family and any members of the public who witnessed this event. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for Grant County Emergency Management.

Foreman praised several responding agencies "for their efforts on this difficult call," including Grant County Sheriff's deputies and chaplain, Ephrata Police Department chaplain, Grant County Fire District 7, Grant County Coroner, Coulee City Fire Department, Coulee City Police, Washington State Park Rangers, American Medical Response ambulance and Grant County Emergency Management.

Emergency service responders spent nearly three hours recovering Jensen's body.