Photo courtesy the Long Beach Fire Department
3:20pm | Firefighters are trying to gather information on a 43-year old man that apparently committed suicide by lighting himself on fire near the Los Angeles River on December 27, 2010. The Long Beach Fire Department today released a photo in hopes of coercing the man’s friends or family to come forward.
The man’s name is Richard Franklin McGee, Jr. Firefighters responded to a call of a possible fire at the Los Angeles River near Long Beach Boulevard on December 27, and found McGee engulfed in flames after having apparently ignited himself. The firefighters administered treatment but McGee already had severe burns over 98% of his body.
McGee was transported to the USC Burn Center but died the following morning of December 28, 2010. Firefighters are urging anyone with information about McGee, his residence, employment, family or friends to contact the Long Beach Fire Department Arson Hotline at 562.570.2582.