Authorities have identified a woman suspected of jumping off a bridge and falling to her death Wednesday night in south Durango as 38-year-old Manda Burger of Hesperus.
According to Durango Police Cmdr. Ray Shupe, the incident is under investigation, but it appears to be a suicide.
Shupe said police spoke with Burger’s husband, who said she suffered from depression and was seeking medical attention.
Police responded to a call of a woman who jumped off the bridge on South Camino del Rio (U.S. Highway 550/160) near the intersection of Colorado Highway 3 – commonly referred to as the High Bridge – around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The incident backed up traffic and caused one lane on nearby La Posta Road (County Road 213) to temporarily close.
Police spoke with witnesses who saw Burger walking on the bridge, and others who saw her jump off, Shupe said.
La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said an autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Shupe said Burger worked at Vantiv Integrated Payments, which is located about a mile from the High Bridge.
According to her Facebook page, Burger attended Durango High School and previously worked at Durango School District 9-R.
Burger’s death marks the 17th reported suicide in La Plata County in 2017.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
For help
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering suicide can be found from these sources:
Axis Health System: 24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255).
RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio: (888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text Hotline: 741741
Boys Town Hotline: (800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado: (877) 542-7233 or online at
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Colorado Crisis Support Line: (844) 493-8255. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis.
Second Wind Fund: (720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
