Vigil held for man found dead on top of Fresno High School building

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A community is mourning the man who was found dead on the roof of Fresno High School Friday.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Daniel Ramirez's body had been there for several days or even weeks.

Ramirez's family says he had been missing for 22 days before the discovery.

Fresno County Sheriff's officials say his death is not suspicious.

Sunday night, hundreds filled Trolley Park in central Fresno to release balloons in memory of Ramirez.

Before red and white balloons filled Fresno's skies, Ramirez's siblings surrounded their father, who spoke warmly about his son.

"I think Daniel gave me the strength for this. Daniel was my son. He was my best friend. He was really my only... he was my guy," said Ramirez's father, holding back tears as he addressed the crowd of mourners.

The vigil was held on the same night as Ramirez's father's birthday, but the only celebration the balloons there symbolized was his son's life.

His family says during his 30 years on earth, Ramirez was loved deeply -- including by his dog, who they say was in distress and died the night after he was found.

"His dog went with him last night," said Ramirez's father before the balloon release.

After the vigil, Action News spoke directly with Ramirez's family.

"He was a kid, still. At heart, he was a kid. I'm sure he wanted to do better. And he did -- he worked with his dad. And I think it's the times, the times that we live in now. It's just so different than when I was growing up. And so, I think he kind of got caught up in this world that we live in now," said Fred Garcia, Ramirez's uncle.

Neither family nor authorities have said how Ramirez died.

The Fresno Police Department is investigating how he got on top of the school's roof.

Kerry Mannix is a general assignment reporter for ABC30 Action News. For news updates, follow her on Instagram.