Florida: 69-Year-Old Skydiver Found Dead on Front Lawn

Authorities on Florida's east coast have launched an investigation into the tragic death of a 69-year-old skydiver, whose lifeless body was discovered in the front yard of a residence in Titusville, Florida Saturday, according to AL.

The deceased Florida man has been identified as Frederick C. Morello, an Ormond Beach, Florida resident. His lifeless body, dressed in skydiving attire and gear, was found at approximately 12:30 PM on Saturday, as reported by the Titusville Police Department.

A security camera positioned at a nearby home captured when the skydiver descended from the sky and landed in the front yard.

James Sconiers, the homeowner, recounted his experience to local TV station WKMG. Sconiers shared that it was his property where the skydiver touched down.

"I was asking the person that was laying on the ground, 'Hey man, can you hear me, can you hear me?' But he did not respond," he recalled.

Nicole Lacount, another witness, also spoke with the TV station and explained that she became aware of the incident when she heard the sound of approaching fire trucks. Upon investigation, she discovered Morello's lifeless body on the ground.

"I work in the medical field. That's the worst I've ever seen," she remarked.

Florida Man's Death Caught on Cam

One of the neighbors shared this critical video, shedding light on the events preceding the skydiver's fatal fall.

The footage, made public by the news outlet, revealed the skydiver's rapid descent with a parachute, culminating in a hard landing in a private yard, Yahoo! News noted.

It remains uncertain whether the parachute's safety mechanisms were deployed correctly, leaving a critical question unanswered.

Sconiers, a Vietnam veteran with prior airborne experience, raised pertinent inquiries regarding the incident.

He pondered, "Look at the video and look at what happened. Why did he fall so hard if all the safety mechanisms were in place? Something tells me there's a problem there."

In response to this emergency, the Titusville Fire Department dispatched a medical helicopter; however, this service was subsequently canceled.

Medical personnel on the scene worked diligently to revive the parachutist but, regrettably, had to declare the Florida man dead on the spot.

Morello's body has been entrusted to the Brevard Medical Examiner's Office for a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding his death.

The site of the incident was located near Arthur Dunn Airpark, which houses the renowned Skydive Space Center, a prominent skydiving company known for conducting dives over iconic locations such as shuttle launch pads, the main assembly building, and the shuttle landing runway of the Kennedy Space Center, as indicated on their website.

Law enforcement has not disclosed whether the Florida man was affiliated with this skydiving company.

The Titusville Police Department confirmed that they are actively probing the circumstances of Morello's tragic fall.

They have pledged to provide additional details as the investigation unfolds, aiming to clarify this unfortunate incident.

Skydiving Remains Favorite Pastime Despite Fatalities

Skydiving continues to be a beloved recreational activity in Brevard County and across the United States, with several flight centers catering to enthusiasts.

In Brevard, you can find skydiving facilities in Titusville, Melbourne Beach, and further south in Sebastian.

The United States Parachute Association, responsible for overseeing and regulating skydiving activities, reported 20 fatalities nationwide in 2022, underscoring the risks inherent in this adventure sport, per Florida Today.

However, concerns about skydiving safety have arisen in the area.

Titusville police were called to investigate a harrowing incident in 2020 in which two parachutists suffered critical injuries after plummeting into a tree from a considerable altitude immediately after jumping from an aircraft.

Reports from that incident detailed how both men experienced a turbulent mid-air spin before crashing into an oak tree in the front yard of a one-story home in the 900 block of Tennessee Street.

Notably, the region near Arthur Dunn Airpark, located less than a mile from the site of this recent fatal landing, has remained a popular destination for skydivers.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 69-year-old man killed in Titusville skydiving accident - From WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando