Buffalo man killed in Marine aircraft crash in California

BUFFALO — Former Buffalo man, Seth Rasmuson, was among the five Marines killed when an Osprey aircraft crashed in southern California on Wednesday. 

Rasmuson graduated from Buffalo High School in 2019. Rasmuson's family confirmed his death to the Bulletin.

According to a statement from the Marines on Thursday, the Marines were assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 at Camp Pendleton. Their MV-22B Osprey crashed during a training exercise in southern California. 

“We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap,” said Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a statement. “Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy.”

According to the statement, recovery of the aircraft's wreckage is underway and an investigation has begun. The Marine Corps Osprey, a hybrid airplane and helicopter, is primarily used to transport troops and equipment.

———

Coalition launches suicide fatality review process

JACKSON — The Community Prevention Coalition, which works to prevent suicide in Jackson Hole, is leading a new fatality review process to examine circumstances leading to suicide deaths in Teton County.

Composed of law enforcement, hospital and public health staffers, and Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue, the review team plans to meet quarterly to identify risk factors and to workshop local policy recommendations that could help prevent suicides.

The approach mirrors one taken by a review team in Washington County, Oregon, which helped reduce its local suicide rate by 40 percent over a six-year period.

Mental health has long been a problem in Wyoming, where suicide is a leading cause of preventable deaths. According to the Wyoming Division of Victim Services, suicide is currently the second-leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24.

There have been two suicide deaths in Teton County this year, and both were people younger than 24.

“We have a significant problem in this county with suicides,” said Blue, a longtime Jackson physician. “And we’ve had that problem for many years — basically as long as I’ve lived here.”

In addition to funding, Blue said, providers need to continue to address the stigmas associated with poor mental health.

It will be difficult to get families to share the circumstances of a loved one’s death by suicide, Beverly Shore, Jackson’s community prevention specialist and a leader of the new review team, told the Jackson Hole Daily. But she also believes that sharing can be a vehicle for positive change.

The first review could happen this month, Shore said Wednesday. 

For help with suicidal thoughts, call the Wyoming LifeLine at (800) 273-8255 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. 

———

Torrington police investigate auto burglaries

TORRINGTON — The Torrington Police Department is asking the community for help with a string of auto burglaries. 

According to the TPD Facebook page, 12 vehicles were entered into on Rio Vista Road, West C Street, West D Street and East A Street between the hours of 1-4 a.m. on Wednesday. 

Torrington Police Chief Matt Johnson said there were no signs of forced entry and officers are following up on possible leads. 

“I’m really hopeful that folks in the community who have video systems will check their system from that timeframe of 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. and call if they see anything suspicious on their video systems,” Johnson said. 

While auto burglaries are uncommon in Torrington, Johnson said a series of these crimes in one night is very rare which leads to officers to believe the incidents are connected. 

“We’re working this as either a single suspect or a group of suspects that committed these [Wednesday] morning and we believe they’re all related,” he said. 

As the police department continues to search for the suspects, Johnson also wants to remind residents about the importance of locking their cars. 

“We also really would like to underscore the community importance of locking your car,” he said. “Don’t leave those valuable items in your vehicle and make sure you lock them up and keep an eye out for your neighbors.”