The Enduring Mystery of the Falling Man

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The Enduring Mystery of the Falling Man

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The “Falling Man” is an iconic photograph captured by Associated Press photographer Richard Drew during the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. The image shows a man in mid-air, falling headfirst from the North Tower. This photograph was taken at 9:41:15 A.M.

The identity of the man in the photograph has been a subject of much discussion and investigation. While never officially confirmed, the individual is widely believed to be Jonathan Briley, a 43-year-old sound engineer who was working at the Windows on the World restaurant, located on the 106th floor of the North Tower. Briley’s brother, Timothy, reportedly identified him by his shoes, and his former boss, Chef Michael Lomonaco, also suggested it was Briley based on his body type and clothing, including an orange t-shirt similar to one Briley often wore under his uniform. Jonathan Briley was also the brother of Alex Briley, known as the “G.I.” from the band Village People.

The photograph was published in newspapers globally on September 12, 2001, including The New York Times. However, it faced immediate criticism from readers who found the image disturbing and exploitative, leading to its infrequent publication in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Despite the initial controversy, “The Falling Man” has gained recognition over the years, with some, like British singer Elton John, calling it “the most beautiful image of something so tragic.” Time magazine, in a 2016 retrospective, described the man as a “makeshift Unknown Soldier in an often unknown and uncertain war, suspended forever in history.”

An estimated 200 people were witnessed falling from the upper floors of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, either jumping to escape the intense heat and smoke or falling accidentally. The medical examiner’s office classified all deaths associated with the 9/11 attacks as homicides.

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