BASE Jumper Dies After Failed TV Tower Leap

Josh Sheppard, 31, of Detroit, was killed after his chute failed to deploy during a BASE jump from a 1,000-foot TV tower in southern Michigan on Wednesday evening, according to the AP.

Sheppard was an experienced BASE jumper and skydiving instructor, having completed more than 3,000 jumps, according to the New York Post. He was alone, did not have permission to be on the tower, and had not told anyone of his plan to jump.

His death, while presumed to be an accident, is under investigation by Michigan State Police.