The grandson of an advocate for a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge reportedly jumped to his death from the iconic span Thursday afternoon.

Sean Moylan, 27, of Novato was the grandson of former bridge district director John Moylan, 86, who was board president in 2008 when officials moved forward with a then-controversial suicide barrier plan, the Marin Independent Journal reported.

Reached briefly by The Chronicle on Tuesday, John Moylan said only that his family was “in mourning.” Earlier, he told the Journal that the heartbreaking event was “not the bridge’s fault. It’s not anybody’s fault. It’s just that he was a very troubled young man.”

Proposed plans for a suicide barrier along the bridge, where 46 people jumped to their deaths last year, have been debated for decades. More than 1,600 people have ended their lives by jumping off the span since its completion in 1937.

Advocates for nets under the 1.7-mile bridge argue jumpers often act on impulse, and that a barrier would likely save lives. While the nets were approved in 2008, they haven’t been installed due to lack of funding.

In March, Caltrans and the regional Metropolitan Transportation Commission appeared ready to pay $44 million toward the fund, according to The Chronicle’s Matier and Ross. Now, the bridge district reportedly needs to pay its $66 million share in the project.

The board of directors will consider an item to put together a full funding package for the construction of the net during a June 27 meeting, said bridge district General Manager Denis Mulligan.

“The board’s goal is to bring the project to fruition,” he said. But he added, “The details are still being finalized.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call (800) 273-TALK(8255) for help.