Woman Killed by Train Identified
A woman who committed suicide this week by stepping in front of a passenger train has been identified as Mary Wheat, a 75-year-old Ventura resident, the county medical examiner’s office said Friday.
Wheat was struck about 4:45 p.m. Thursday at Figueroa Street and Harbor Boulevard near Seaside Park after being dropped off in the area by a taxi about 1 p.m., Deputy Coroner James Baroni said.
Baroni said a local cab company gave investigators the address of an apartment complex near Ventura High School where Wheat was picked up, and an apartment manager confirmed Wheat’s identity.
Investigators also spoke with Wheat’s daughter and son-in-law, who said Wheat had been despondent. Wheat lived alone in the apartment, Baroni said.
Witnesses told authorities that Wheat stepped in front of Amtrak’s San Diegan as it was slowing for a scheduled stop en route to San Luis Obispo.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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