Man Writes 'Final' Facebook Post Before Fatal Fall at Disneyland
An Orange County man who suffered a fatal fall at Disneyland on Saturday wrote a final Facebook post before his death.
Police said Chris Christensen, an elementary school principal, died after falling from an Anaheim, California, parking structure at the park. According to reports, police aren't sure if Christensen fell or jumped from the structure, but they believe he died by suicide. Christensen had been scheduled to appear in court Monday on misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and battery. He pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Police were called to the scene at about 9 p.m. Saturday night according to the Daily Beast. Christensen's post was published on Facebook roughly two hours later.
In the post, Christensen shared several photos of himself with a woman he identified as his wife, Marlena. He announced that the couple privately married 3 1/2 years ago and that the relationship has been "amazing up until recently." He then included details about what led to his recent arrest.
According to the post, Christensen and Marlena recently had a "heated argument" in front of Marlena's two young daughters.
"Tempers were flared and strong words were exchanged between us. However, never in this exchange did I hit, slap, or hurt Marlena in any manner. Nor did I ever touch the girls (I never have and never will). I love the girls like my own and they know that, as does everyone else who truly knows me," Christensen said.
"Unfortunately, Marlena's anger got the best of her that night and she called the police, which landed me in jail that night. Yes, me! A man who has never hit or harmed ANYONE in his life!"
Christensen announced that Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach, California, placed him on administrative leave during the case, and he criticized the "flawed" legal system in his post, saying it was especially unfair to men and fathers. In the post, Christensen references screenshots of his wife's messages to one of Christensen's friends. He said the screenshots were attached to the post, but the post only included three photos of him and his wife.
"So, here I am...writing my final FB post to all of you," Christensen said. "I need you all to know that a gentle, kind, loving and sincerely good man has been destroyed by one unfortunate night. It really is unfortunate! This is NOT me! This is NOT something that I ever thought would happen to me."
At the end of his post, Christensen said he loved being an educator and also thanked his musician friends. Christensen's band, Seaside Strings, played at a variety of venues, including at Disneyland hotels, according to the band's website. Christensen's Facebook page included several photos from Disneyland.
The Fountain Valley School District issued a statement after Christensen's death.
"Mr. Christensen has been a respected leader in FVSD for over 20 years," the statement said. "His contributions and connections to this community are immeasurable. He was a father, husband, brother, and friend to so many. His passing leaves us devastated and heartbroken."
Newsweek reached out to Christensen's wife, Marlena, Disneyland and the Fountain Valley School District for comment.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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