CLOSE KENNEDY FRIEND PLUNGES TO DEATH IN FLORIDA
Miami, Florida (JFK+50) On December 2, 1963, Grant Stockdale*, close friend of the late President John F. Kennedy, "plunged to his death from the 13th floor of the DuPont Building** in midtown Miami."
The body of the 48 year old Miami real estate executive and former ambassador to Ireland, was found on a 5th floor ledge. Police officials believe the death was the result of suicide although no note was found.
JFK had been a "frequent visitor" to Mr. Stockdale's Miam home before he assumed the presidency. From 1946 to 1948, Grant Stockdale was administrative assistant to Senator George Smathers*** (D-Florida) also a close friend of John F. Kennedy.
*Edward Grant Stockdale (1915-1963) was born in Greenville, Mississippi & graduated from the University of Miami (FL). EGS served in the USMC (Pacific Theater) in WWII & the FL state legislature 1948-49 where he introduced the 1st anti-KKK legislation.
**Alfred I. DuPont Building, 169 East Flagler Street, Miami, FL was completed in 1939. The 17 story modern style building has Art Deco embellishments.
***George Armistead Smathers (1913-2007) was born in Atlantic City, NJ & received his BA & LLB at the University of Florida. GAS served in the US House of Representatives (D-FL) 1947-1951 & US Senate 1951-1969. He managed the Kennedy-Johnson 1960 campaign in the South.
SOURCE
"Plunge Kills Stockdale, Close Kennedy Friend," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 2, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
