Watch CBS News

Fallen Window Washer Remembered As Youthful And Passionate

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities man, who fell to his death while washing windows, is being remembered for how he lived his life.

Ryan Shannon died Friday afternoon when he fell from the roof of the Knollwood Place Apartments in St. Louis Park.

He fell eight stories, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner has concluded he died of multiple blunt force injuries.

His brother, Bobby Shannon, says he loved music. The two were in a band together called Wize Bison.

"He was the leader," Shannon said about his younger brother. "He was the energy behind it and the talent."

Ryan played drums in the band, but he could actually play all parts, his brother said.

The 25-year-old musician grew up in Roseville and graduated from Roseville Area High School in 2004.

"His whole approach to life was living every minute," Shannon said. "He appreciated every moment he was alive. He didn't waste a single moment."

On Friday, following Ryan's death, investigators hauled out heavy roof rigging, along with buckets and ropes from behind the apartment building. They hope the equipment can help them understand why Ryan fell.

A spokesperson for the City of St. Louis Park said Friday that several people witnessed the accident.

Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will now try and determine the cause of the accident, along with St. Louis Park Police.

The city says there was a window washing death in St. Louis Park September of 2009, when a worker fell from Methodist hospital.

Ryan's brother hopes people won't remember how he died, but how he lived life with energy and passion.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.