Man dies in fall at abandoned paper mill near Kalamazoo

PARCHMENT, MI – A man was killed in a fall at an abandoned industrial site in Parchment, the Kalamazoo Township Police Department reports.

Police responded to the abandoned paper mill in the 1900 block of East G Avenue around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, after receiving a 911 call.

Officers found Brian Garvelink, 48, on the floor at the factory. He appeared to have sustained serious injuries in a fall while attempting to remove scrap metal, police said.

Garvelink was pronounced dead at the scene despite rescue efforts by police and medical personnel, police said. The property is commonly referred to as the Parchment Mill, police said.

Police are advising the public to avoid abandoned buildings for safety reasons as they may be dangerous, especially those with “No Entry” signs.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or the Kalamazoo Parish Criminal Investigation Division at 269-381-0391.

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