Police on Sunday identified the Cape Elizabeth man who died after falling from a second-floor balcony at his home as 39-year-old John Knight.

The state medical examiner’s office planned to perform an autopsy Sunday, said police Capt. Brent Sinclair.

Police have not determined whether the fall, which occurred Saturday afternoon, was accidental, said Police Chief Neil Williams. At the time of the accident, Knight was alone at his home on Tiger Lily Lane, in the town’s Cross Hill neighborhood. There were no witnesses, Williams said, and the man’s family was out of town.

A railing on the balcony appeared to be old, he said, but the investigation hasn’t determined if it failed. He said Knight fell onto paving stones on a patio below the balcony.

According to Williams, no one had spoken to Knight since Saturday morning. A family member went to check on him after being unable to reach him and found him on the patio. Police received the call reporting the fall about 4:45 p.m., Williams said.
The Cape Elizabeth Rescue squad declared Knight dead at the scene.

A state medical examiner would look for any injuries that are inconsistent with a fall, Williams said.

No one from the medical examiner’s office could be reached Sunday for results of the autopsy.

Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers contributed to this report.


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