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Columbia Frosh Leaps to Death From Dorm

Orientation week takes horrifying turn

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 29, 2012 12:08 AM CDT | Updated Aug 29, 2012 12:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Columbia University freshman leaped to her death from a window of her 14th-story dorm before classes even began. Martha Corey-Ochoa, valedictorian of a Westchester high school and the daughter of a graduate of the Ivy League school, died just two hours after a meet-and-greet at the dorm, officials told the New York Daily News. She was found on the pavement by two freshman, and was declared dead a short time later at a local hospital, reports the Columbia Spectator.

She had planned to major in English and math. Officials don't believe the fall was accidental. It's not clear what triggered the suicide, though Corey-Ochoa was known to have psychiatric problems, sources tell the News. The death has rattled a campus packed until yesterday with giddy freshman. The night Corey-Ochoa jumped, Monday, was the first night most freshman were on campus. "We were pretty shaken up," said a student.

Martha Corety-Ochoa was valedictorian of her Westchester high school.
Martha Corety-Ochoa was valedictorian of her Westchester high school.   (Facebook)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
HANKHILL
Aug 29, 2012 9:58 AM CDT
awwwwwwwwwwww she just wanted to save pops some money!
realtruth
Aug 29, 2012 7:37 AM CDT
Lucky she didnt have a gun.. It would have been the guns fault.
shaboom
Aug 29, 2012 7:13 AM CDT
That might be the most interesting thing you can do in that area of Manhattan.
 

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