Death of 23-Year-Old Who Jumped Off Cerritos Towne Center Parking Structure Stuns Community

An autopsy has been postponed until Friday for a 23-year-old man who leaped or fell to his death off a fifth-floor parking garage at the Cerritos Towne Center. 

The body of Franz Harris Husges of Artesia was discovered at 17777 Center Court Dr. about 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. 

Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner's office said the death was initially reported as a suicide, but it could not be confirmed until the coroner's report was completed.

Husges, who grew up in the area, attended , , , and most recently Cerritos College. 

News of the Husges' death spread quickly across social media sites, triggering an outpouring of sadness throughout the community.

"That's really horrible and for some reason, these stories are always harder to stomach when you're familiar with the area or have been there," a woman named Tina remarked on Facebook.

After learning of the death, a fellow Gahr High School graduate named Cassandra said, "God, he is younger than me and was likely one of my schoolmates. Much love and support to his family and friends."

When deputies from the sheriff's Cerritos Station first arrived at the scene Wednesday, Husges' body was found laid across the sidewalk between the parking structure and an office building, just across the street from Towne Center eateries,  and .

Sheriff's Homicide Det. Steve Blagg said that several witnesses saw the victim jump from the top story of the structure.