Who Is Olga Baird? New Details About The Woman Who Committed Suicide By Jumping From An 18th Floor Rooftop Bar
She hit a MTA bus.
Getty A 47-year-old woman jumped to her death in New York last week. Olga Baird lept over the wall at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel's rooftop Monarch bar on March 2. The bar was on the 18th-story of the hotel.
Onlookers were shocked to witness her suicide, which happened around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday night in the very packed bar. Baird fell 18 stories and hit an MTA bus that was parked directly on the street below the bar. She died instantly, being pronounced dead at the scene, 71 W. 36th St., at 9:40 p.m.
Little is known about Baird and what led her to jump to her death in front of dozens of people. Suicide by jumping is one of the least common methods people use to take their lives. Statistics in 2017 found that firearm was the most common, next being suffocation and poisoning.
"People who think about committing suicide fear that they're going to hurt themselves but not kill themselves, and just make their situation worse," Adam Kaplin, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute told ABC News. He also estimated that only five to ten percent of all suicides are committed by jumping.
"Jumping is sort of like using a gun – once you make that decision to [kill yourself], it's pretty much a done deal."
So who is Olga Baird? Here's what we know.
1. She was with her husband.
The night that Baird leaped from the packed Marriott Courtyard Hotel's rooftop Monarch bar, she was there with her husband. It's not clear if they were staying at the hotel or if they were just at the bar that evening.
2. She suffered from depression.
Baird's husband, who has not been named, told police that his wife had suffered from depression. He also said that she was currently on medication, though it's not clear what kind.
3. It looks like the wall she jumped off of would be difficult to climb over.
The Monarch bar is described as "hundreds of feet above West 35th Street" in Herald Square. Images on the hotel's website show very tall, glass barriers that could protect patrons from accidentally falling from the bar.
They also look like they would be hard for someone to climb over.
4. The hotel has yet to comment.
The Courtyard by Marriot Hotel in Herald Square has yet to comment on Baird's death. A representative at the front desk of the hotel was unaware of the incident when the Daily Mail reached out to them for comment.
The Addison Hospitality Group — the company that manages the Monarch — also has yet to respond to any questions.
5. She made a huge dent in the bus.
After falling hundreds of feet to her death, Baird crashed into an MTA bus that was parked down below in front of the hotel. She reportedly landed on the transportation vehicle so hard that she left a substantial dent in the front of the bus' roof.
After she crashed into the bus, her body fell onto the street.
6. Police do not suspect foul play.
At this time, police are saying that they do not suspect any foul play in Baird's death. They are still interviewing witnesses to determine what happened.
7. Her obituary says she's from Ukraine.
While it has not been verified, an obituary for what is believed to be the same Olga Baird, says that she was born in Ukraine.
"On Saturday, March 2, 2019, our solnechko (little sunshine) Olga Baird, finally stopped suffering," the obituary reads. "She leaves behind the heartbroken husband Scott, son Dimitri, and mother Tonya Zhuk, along with countless friends around the world."
"Olga was born June 12, 1971, in L'vov, Ukraine, she moved to Germany as an adult, and eventually the United States, where she married and started a family. Olga brought love, warmth, humor, and spirituality to every life she touched. She perceived the deepest character of people and animals; and saw the uniqueness of rivers and mountains around her. She aggressively defended and advocated for the purity of the earth, the environment, and our own human body."
"Olga had a great artistic talent and an ability to replicate the nuances of light, form, depth, and structure of an object in front of her, in pencil, watercolor or whatever medium she chose. A very talented fashion designer, she could envision and create clothing that was unique, beautiful, carefully crafted and perfectly balanced. She loved and sought to preserve and enhance beauty in every facet of life."
"Olga was an extremely devoted and loving mother. As a caring yet strict substitute teacher, she encouraged children to understand the importance and impact of their decisions and habits. Our solnechko shined endless light into our lives and the memory of her will center us, guide us and warm us forever."
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7 through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The lifeline is free, confidential and available any time by calling 1-800-273-8255 or by visiting www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Emily Blackwood is a writer and editor living in California. She covers all things news, pop culture, and true crime.