NZ photographer jumps to his death from 17th floor of Bandra hotel

A 56-year-old photographer from New Zealand allegedly committed suicide by jumping out of his room on the 17th floor at Taj Land's End in Bandra late on Monday night. Investigating officers said that the deceased, identified as John Richard Brimley had arrived in the city on May 9 for a photoshoot with about 20 to 25 other professionals from other countries.

Authorities said that they were informed of the incident when the watchman of the hotel saw Brimley's body lying on the basement floor around 11 pm and he immediately rushed to inform the manager and other staff members, who in turn notified them of the event.

Authorities soon reached the spot and rushed Brimley to Bhabha Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Pratap Dighavkar, deputy commissioner of police, who has additional charge of zone IX, said that Bimley's body was then sent to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem.

"We have informed Bimley's family back in New Zealand who are on their way to Mumbai. We have also informed the New Zealand embassy about the incident," said Dighavkar. An official from the Bandra police added that they had questioned his friends and colleagues staying at the hotel and some of them had said that Brimely was depressed owing to some personal issues.

"The group of professionals were staying in different rooms at the hotel and a doctor over there said that Brimley was suffering from insomnia and would often consume sleeping pills and recently, was also taking anti-depressants." The police added that they were still investigating the incident as no suicide note was recovered.