Man Found Hanging From Studio City Tree Identified

STUDIO CITY, CA — A 70-year-old tree trimmer found hanging upside down in a tree over the weekend has been identified as David Cerigioni, the LA County coroner’s office confirmed.

On Saturday at 12:07 p.m., Cerigioni was found dead hanging approximately 50 feet above ground at 3363 N. Coldwater Canyon Avenue in Studio City, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement. The large home once belonged to Van Halen, CBSLA reported.
The department sent 39 firefighters, including those specially trained, equipped and certified for Urban Search & Rescue operations. They utilized a truck-mounted aerial ladder, rope and harness system to extricate Cerigioni.

Cerigioni was trimming a tree around utility cables, including a power line, according to CBS, but LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey said it remains unknown if they played any role in Cerigioni’s death. The department is awaiting an official autopsy.

Cerigioni’s daughter Heather told CBS that her father was “just a really funny guy” who had a “heart of gold.”

She said that her father had been climbing and trimming trees since he was 19, and had amassed a large and loyal client base, including the Van Halen Estate.

— City News Service contributed to this report.