PORT ANGELES — A memorial has grown at the Valley Street site where Stephanie Diane Caldwell, 21, of Port Angeles died Saturday, and remembrances continued to pour in on social media sites Monday.
Caldwell died Saturday after plunging off of the eastern Eighth Street bridge over the Valley Creek ravine in what the Port Angeles Police Department has said was most likely a suicide.
Caldwell’s family told police that she had made “suicidal-type comments” Friday, and a witness saw her jump, city police Sgt. Glen Roggenbuck said.
On Monday, a stone memorial decorated with flowers, personal notes, photographs, a decorated baseball cap and a candle was growing in an empty lot under the bridge on Valley Street.
The candle flame flickered, and a balloon twisted in the breeze in the quiet valley Monday.
She was ‘independent, smart’
On social media, friends and loved ones posted their memories and condolences to Caldwell’s family on her Facebook page.
“I grew up with this girl, not only as a friend throughout school but as a sister, my daughter’s aunt. And throughout any struggles she tried to be there as much as she could. We fought like sisters but always, always made up before too long. She knew how to make a person laugh like no other,” Kaylee Anderson wrote of Caldwell on her Facebook page.
“Even in her time of struggle and addiction she was still that same amazingly beautiful girl as before,” Anderson said.
She said that Caldwell “was the best friend anyone could have ever asked for,” and that she “was independent, smart, and insanely beautiful.”
Friends posted their thoughts on her loss.
“Life is too precious to ignore and run off the people who truly matter. With all the loss that’s occurred, we just need to support and encourage one another to make the most of this life, which is too often taken for granted,” Shanee Wimberly said on Caldwell’s Facebook wall.
Caldwell’s loss inspired memories of their friend and loved one.
“Still can’t believe you’re gone Steph. You will be unconditionally loved and missed on this earth, never forgotten. Missing that radiant smile and laugh you brought with you everywhere and shared with countless people who love you so much,” Cambria McMahon posted on Facebook.
“I’m so sorry you were hurting. I pray that you found peace and can rest easy knowing how many peoples lives you’ve touched. Until next time love,” McMahon said.
Others simply posted their sorrow.
“I love you so much and you will be forever missed! I cannot believe you are gone. I know that you will be watching over us,” Madison Castillo wrote.
Commenters on the Peninsula Daily News website and Facebook page said they wanted to see some kind of barrier erected to reduce the number of deaths on the two Eighth Street bridges.
The bridge over Valley Creek is 98 feet tall at its highest point.
In July 2012, a 20-year-old Port Angeles woman jumped to her death from the western Eighth Street bridge into the Tumwater Creek ravine.
A 19-year-old Port Angeles man jumped to his death from the eastern bridge in April 2009.
The twin bridges opened in February 2009, replacing a pair of trestle-like spans that were built in 1936 to carry a state highway that since has been turned over to the city.
When in crisis
The Clallam County 24-hour telephone crisis services is available for those who are considering suicide, or who know someone they are concerned may be in need of help, at 360-452-4500 for East Clallam County Crisis Line and at 360-374-6177 for the West End Outreach Services.
Jefferson County Mental Health Services is available at 360-385-0321 and 1-800-659-0321.
Caldwell had a history of drug-related activity, according to court documents.
She was one of two women arrested in January as alleged accomplices in a heroin trafficking organization in Port Angeles.
She was charged with delivery of a controlled substance-heroin and with maintaining a vehicle or premises for drug trafficking, and she was ordered to take part in a treatment program.
Court documents show she was released from drug court custody Aug. 17 to enter a treatment program.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
