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Southfield Man Dies Attempting BASE Jump From TV News Tower

RIVES TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Michigan State Police say a 31-year-old Southfield man died after his parachute failed to deploy while BASE jumping from a TV news tower in Jackson County.

Michigan State Police Sgt. Kevin Caldwell confirmed Thursday that Josh Sheppard was killed around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after falling from the 1,000-foot tower in Rives Township.

An employee of WLAJ-TV called police to report the incident.

Caldwell says Sheppard went to the tower by himself and authorities are not aware that he told anyone else he was planning to jump. He says Sheppard had no permission to climb the tower and was trespassing.

Police earlier said the death was an accident, but Caldwell says it is under investigation.

BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth.

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