The death of Jonathan “Jonny Z” Zanin affected many people that never knew him.  He died at a familiar place to many Richmonders, including myself: the north end of the Boulevard Bridge. I got a chance to go for a bike ride yesterday, and while crossing the bridge, I noticed a memorial to Zanin on the spot on the bridge above the train tracks where his body was found. Mementos from good friends, family and well-wishers are left at the site.

The circumstances of his death weighed on my mind as I continued my ride, and mostly I thought about my kids and how hard it must be for the parents and family members of Zanin, knowing what a good person he seemed to be, and that he was gone from their lives too soon. At least he took his chance to make an impression on people while he was here.

As of May 10, Richmond police investigating the death of Zanin believe he died beneath the Boulevard Bridge early Sunday May 6 by accident—not as a result of foul play or suicide. Zanin’s bike was found on the pedestrian walkway of the span 43 feet above, along with his sneakers.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch coverage:

When I was 12 years old, I was riding my bike across the nickel bridge and one of my bike pedals clipped one of those metal barrels that used to sit on the sidewalk of the bridge.  My bike spun perpendicular to the rail of the bridge, the front tire went through the rail, leaving me hanging on the rail, nearly falling on those same railroad tracks.  When I saw this story, my blood ran cold and the memory of that day, 29 years ago, came rushing back into my mind. I feel for his family.

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