BASE jumper dies after jumping from TV news tower in Michigan

RIVES TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A 31-year-old suburban Detroit man has died after his parachute failed to deploy while BASE jumping from a TV news tower.

Michigan State Police Sgt. Kevin Caldwell confirms Thursday that Josh Sheppard of Southfield was killed Wednesday evening in the fall from the 1,000-foot tower in Jackson County's Rives Township.

An employee of WLAJ-TV called police to report the incident.

Caldwell says Sheppard went to the tower by himself and authorities are not aware that he told anyone else he was planning to jump. He says Sheppard did not have permission to climb the tower.

CBS affiliate WLNS-TV reports police have ruled the man's death an accident, but Caldwell says it is under investigation.

BASE stands for building, antenna, span and earth.