Damon Runyon Jr.
Writer on UFO topics who jumped or fell from a bridge in Washington, D.C. — ruled suicide but questioned by researchers.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alfred Damon Runyon Jr. |
| Born | 1918 |
| Died | 1968 |
| Age at Death | ~50 |
| Location of Death | Washington, D.C. |
| Cause of Death | Fall from a park bridge |
| Official Ruling | Suicide |
| Category | Journalist / Investigator |
Assessment: UNCERTAIN (UAP link)
Damon Runyon Jr. — son of the famous American journalist and short story writer Damon Runyon — wrote about UFO topics and died after jumping or falling from a bridge in Washington, D.C., in 1968. The death was ruled suicide. His inclusion in UFO researcher death compilations is based on his writing about UFO topics, though his UAP connection is less direct than many other cases.
Circumstances of Death
In 1968, Damon Runyon Jr. died after falling from a bridge in a park in Washington, D.C. The death was officially ruled a suicide. Limited details about the specific circumstances have been made public.
Background
Family Legacy
Damon Runyon Jr. was the son of Damon Runyon, one of America's most famous journalists and short story writers. The elder Runyon was known for his colorful stories of Broadway characters and New York City life. The younger Runyon followed his father into writing.
UFO Writing
Runyon Jr. wrote about UFO topics among other subjects. He appeared on G. Cope Schellhorn's and Otto Binder's lists of UFO-connected individuals who died under suspicious or unusual circumstances.
Why This Death Possibly Raises Questions
- Falls/jumps from bridges are a recurring method in suspicious deaths connected to classified programs
- Listed on multiple compilations of UFO researcher deaths
- The pattern of UFO writers dying by "suicide" by falling matches other cases like James Forrestal
- His death occurred during the late 1960s, a period of intense UFO activity and government suppression
The Counterargument
- Runyon Jr. had personal struggles documented independently of his UFO interests
- His UFO writing connection is relatively tenuous compared to other cases
- Suicide from bridges is unfortunately common and does not require a conspiracy
- No specific classified programs or testimony have been linked to his work
See Also
- James Forrestal — Secretary of Defense who fell from a hospital window
- Morris Jessup — UFO researcher whose death was ruled suicide
- James McDonald — atmospheric physicist and UFO researcher who died by suicide
- Otto Binder — documented 137 UFO researcher deaths in his 1971 article, including Runyon
- Frank Edwards — UFO author who died of a heart attack during the same era
- Dorothy Kilgallen — journalist investigating UFOs and JFK, found dead with notes missing
Other Shocking Stories
- Phil Schneider — strangled with catheter tube after warning he'd be killed for exposing underground bases
- Karl Wolfe — Air Force analyst killed in hit-and-run after revealing moon base photographs
- Mark McCandlish — shotgun death ruled suicide days before testimony on anti-gravity craft
Sources
- Find a Grave — Damon Runyon Jr.: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22773306/alfred-damon-runyon
- Biblioteca Pleyades — scientist death compilations: https://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/sociopol_scientistkilling03.htm
- Otto Binder's "Liquidation of the UFO Investigators" (1971)
This information was built by Grok and Claude AI research.
Status: Deceased (1968)