L.A. authorities today continued their investigation into the apparent suicide of Michael Blosil, the 18-year-old son of entertainer Marie Osmond.
Details about the case — including where he died — remain unclear.
Los Angeles Police Department officials told KTLA News that officers responded to a report of a suicide at the 900 block of South Flower Street about 10 p.m. Friday. Traffic in that area was diverted during the investigation, but more details were not immediately available.
That location is near the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Tammy Nguyen,
a student at the institute, said Blosil attended the school, majoring in
apparel manufacturing. Nguyen said that she gathered with other
students at the lobby of the Met, an apartment building at Flower and
9th streets, Friday night, and that she saw Blosil’s body covered with
a white sheet on the sidewalk.
“Everyone was in shock,” Nguyen said. Blosil lived on the eighth floor.
Blosil’s death was being investigated by the Los
Angeles County coroner’s office, said coroner’s Lt. Brian Elias.
Osmond, 50, said in a statement, “My
family and I are devastated and in deep shock by the tragic loss of our
dear Michael and ask that everyone respect our privacy during this
difficult time.”
Osmond
is best known for the ABC variety show “Donny & Marie” in the late
1970s, in which she starred with her brother. She and her brother
have performed on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” and now have a variety show at the Flamingo Showroom in Las Vegas.
— Rong-Gong Lin II
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE: More details on this case, as well as photos from a memorial in downtown L.A., from The Times’ Christie D’Zurilla at the Ministry of Gossip.