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Murder ruled out as cause of death of man who fell out of window at 400 Towers

By Howard B. Owens

Investigators have ruled out homicide as the cause of death for William Hastings, 52, who fell to his death from the seventh floor of 400 Towers on Tuesday.

In a press release, Batavia PD detectives said today that thorough examination of the apartment building's surveillance system and interviews, Hastings was alone at 2:52 p.m. when he fell out of the window.

Detectives, in cooperation with the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office are still working to determine whether the death as an accident or suicide.

"It's just hard to know what happened," Det. Pat Corona said. "I don't know if we ever will determine if it's a suicide or an accident."

No note was found in the apartment, Corona said, but "it sure was nice that 400 Towers had the surveillance system installed so we could sit down and review those tapes and determine he was alone at the time."

Witnesses said they heard no sounds indicating a disturbance in the apartment prior to Hastings' fall.

Corona said the M.E.'s office has also not yet determined whether Hastings had any sort of medical issue prior to his fall.

Monroe County has yet to complete toxicology tests, which could take 90 days or more.

mark jackett

Go figure another death in batavia and the police say "I don't know if we ever will determine if it's a suicide or an accident." just like the young lady that died in the manor house parking lot " WE Don't Know"

Jun 14, 2012, 12:44pm Permalink
Susan Kennelly

Mark sometimes it's just the answer you get and have to live with. If no one was with him at the time of his death then all they have to go with are the pieces of the puzzle. If pieces are missing then they just DON'T KNOW. He could have slipped, tripped or fell OR he could have hurled himself out the window. At this point anything could have happened. Stop bagging on Batavia, we don't have our own medical examiner here in Batavia so, as far as cause or whatever answers the police here in Batavia will get, will come from the Monroe County M.E. My husband was alone at the time of his death almost 7 years ago. He was 42 years old and had very limited health problems prior to his death. As far as they know he may have died in his sleep and it appeared to be peaceful, no signs of struggle or foul play. that's all I have to go on. The autopsy was inconclusive and the toxicology reports came back clean. They don't know the time or cause of death and on his death certificate it says "undetermined" as a cause of death. This was in Chicago, Ill. So it doesn't matter if it's a small city or a big city.....Sometimes there are no answers, shit just happens.

Jun 14, 2012, 3:32pm Permalink
david spaulding

just be glad you weren't visiting the guy and maybe taking a nap.
a "gut feeling" from the cops and you'd be spending your life savings
defending yourself......

Jun 14, 2012, 5:48pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

Bill was a very good friend of mine, my BEST friend! Sometimes it is really nobody's business! We don't always have answers. I am comforted that he is a peace now!
and Susan, I am sorry for the loss of your husband at such a young age, I will say a prayer for you!

Jun 14, 2012, 6:06pm Permalink
Susan Kennelly

I'm sorry for your loss as well Gary. It was a tragic thing that happened to your friend. I hope he's at peace. My prayers and good thoughts go out to his family and friends. :)

Jun 14, 2012, 8:22pm Permalink
Michele Case

I had the pleasure of knowing Mr Hastings as well. What a nice man, I feel terrible this happened but will remember him as such a good hearted person. Rest in Peace!

Jun 19, 2012, 11:06pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Since foul play has been ruled out, perhaps we should mourn the loss of a man who was a friend to so many instead of speculating about his death.

Jun 20, 2012, 2:26am Permalink
Ron C Welker

A very sad siuation for sure and the loss of a good man and friend. If anything good can come out of this accident possibly the windows might have a safety bar installed to prevent this sort of thing. A one inch aluminum tube lag bolted in the center of the opening would do it, still allowing clear visibility and incase of fire or emergency be removed from the outside quickly by slotting one of the mounting holes (fire man single blow with ax would move out of the way).

Jun 20, 2012, 10:17am Permalink

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