Concord city attorney dies in apparent suicide

Concord City Attorney Mark Coon jumped from the third floor of a parking garage to his death Tuesday morning in Walnut Creek, police said.

Walnut Creek police Lt. Lanny Edwards confirmed Coon died from an apparent suicide at a four-story garage, which officers responded to at 10:26 a.m. Tuesday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coon had been Concord’s city attorney since 2012, and served in various posts for the city for 10 years prior to that.

Tonight’s City Council meeting has been canceled and grief counselors have been made available to city employees, according to city spokeswoman Leslye Asera.

City Manager Valerie Barone said in a statement:

“I have known Mark for many years and respected him both as a city employee and as a friend. … The city has suffered a great loss that will be felt for many years. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

There are 24-hour hotlines available nationwide for anyone coping with depression or suicidal thoughts.

The Bay Area Suicide and Crisis Intervention Alliance provides regional 24-hour hotlines for suicidal individuals. In Contra Costa County the number is (800) 833-2900, in Alameda County it’s (800) 309-2131, in Marin County it’s (415) 499-1100, in San Francisco it’s (415) 781-0500 and in San Mateo County it’s (650) 579-0359.