By Steve Metsch
Palos Hills police confirmed Friday that a 40-year-old man commited suicide by hanging himself from a ComEd tower.
The body of Caleb Palmbos, of Wheaton, was found around 7 a.m. Thursday, said a Palos Hills deputy chief who requested anonymity.
“Suicide. It was confirmed by the medical examiner’s office this morning. By hanging,” the deputy chief said.
It happened west of the Bridgeview Courthouse in an area with many ComEd towers, north of 103rd Street and east of 78th Avenue.
“He went up about 30, 40 feet and hung himself from there,” the deputy chief said.
No note was left.
“It was called into us,” the deputy chief said, adding that suicides often happen during the holidays.
He noted that Thursday “was a school morning. School buses are going by. It’s a terrible thing.”
“Nobody at Sorrick (School) saw it. Older Stagg (High School) kids saw it. We contacted the school and they received counseling if they wanted,” he said.
“It’s not something common you see here. Thirty to 40 feet up,” he added.
Extremely SAD? I hope he found peace now. Just so sad he didn’t ask for help and no one saw what pain he was going thru before giving up.
Ann, as a friend of Caleb’s, I can say that he had loved ones, including myself, who most definitely saw and shared his pain and were supporting him. But he’d had repeated heavy disappointments where it appeared that the court and/or lawyers failed him regarding a family matter that mattered deeply to him, and he felt he was playing a losing game in a system stacked against him. Every time he thought he was making progress, he essentially got shot down. The fact that this happened right near the court building was far from coincidental. Add in a lot of other major stressors going on in his life, and I think what he was going through just exceeded the help that anyone could give him. That doesn’t make this any less tragic, and heaven knows I’m beyond heartbroken not to have him in my life anymore, but Caleb had help, support, and love.
Thank you “Close Friend” for confirming that Caleb was loved and supported. I am Caleb’s cousin and really appreciate your note. The system clearly failed him. Please keep my family in your prayers ?❤️
Shame on you Mr. Metsch.
You may have reported the facts. But did you know and report all of the facts? Did you know if Caleb had young children that the family wanted to protect the memories of their father. Did you know and report all of the struggles Caleb was going through?
Yes this was done in public. Did you research or even consider to think about why he chose this location so close to the court house and in public? Maybe he was trying to make a statement? Maybe he thought the system is flawed? Maybe this was the only way he knew to make a statement. Yes it’s very unfortunate that children had to see this and I’m deeply saddened about that. That’s very difficult for them and I’m sure they will need some counseling.
But what about the family that just lost a loved one? The last thing they want to do is read an article about someone they just lost. An article that paints a horrible picture for the loved ones to see in their heads over and over for the rest of their lives.
Next time you choose to post an article please think about all involved not just the public bystanders. Think about the man that just lost his battle and all of those friends and family that loved him. Do more research to try and find out why a man would do something so traumatic.
Thank you for having courage to speak up Noone knows a person’s true struggle but GOD people can be so inhumane yet when act so nonchalant my prayers go out to his family and all whom truly loved this man no matter circumstance he’s still deserves respect Depression is real