The deaths of a woman and her child at San Diego’s Petco Park last September were ruled a murder-suicide.
Raquel Wilkins, 40, was holding her 5-year-old son when they fell from a third-level concourse, a height of about six stories. She died by suicide and the boy’s death was a homicide, according to a statement released Wednesday by the San Diego Police Department.
The statement said detectives “conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation that included dozens of interviews, reviewing of available video footage, and collecting background information to determine what led to the deaths.”
The decision was made in consultation with the San Diego County medical examiner.
The tragedy occurred as fans were arriving to see the San Diego Padres host the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 25.
The Padres released a statement Wednesday. “In light of today’s statement from the San Diego Police Department, we want to reiterate our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of those involved in this tragedy.”
However, an attorney representing Wilkins’ parents and siblings told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the family disagreed with the determination and that it was made to stave off potential legal action.
“The city of San Diego owns that ballpark, it is legally responsible, assuming that what caused her to fall was anything but her intent,” Dan Gilleon said Wednesday. “The only way the city is not at fault is if she intended to kill herself and her baby.”
–Field Level Media