Fisherman finds body of missing 21-year-old man who jumped off ‘Jaws’ bridge
A shell fisherman has found the body of a missing 21-year-old man who jumped from the “Jaws” bridge on Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend, authorities announced Thursday.
The body of Tavaughn Bulgin was found along the edge of a pond around 11:30 a.m., a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson confirmed. Law enforcement officials had been working tirelessly to locate Bulgin throughout the week, utilizing helicopters, dive teams, and sonar.
Bulgin jumped off the bridge in Edgartown with his 26-year-old brother and two other people late Sunday night, according to Massachusetts State Police.
Bulgin and his brother never resurfaced after the jump, but the two other people they were with made it to shore, the Coast Guard said.
The body of Bulgin’s brother was pulled from the water around 9 a.m. Monday.
The two brothers were seasonal restaurant workers on the island, according to state police. Investigators believe they were renting a residence in Oak Bluffs.
A gofundme was started for the family of these young men.
The American Legion Memorial Bridge, known for its appearance in the iconic 1975 thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, is located on Beach Road. It connects Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.
A young man who confused the Little Bridge with the Jaws Bridge and jumped into the water in Aug. 2020 had to be airlifted to the hospital after suffering a serious neck injury, the Martha’s Vineyard Times reported. Authorities told the news outlet that the man thought he was jumping from a section of the bridge that spans a deeper channel.
Rescue teams were spotted conducting emergency safety training in the water near the bridge in June.
There were no additional details immediately available.
An investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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