A California elementary school principal committed suicide at Disneyland over the weekend, avoiding a Monday court hearing regarding misdemeanor charges of child endangerment and battery.
Christopher Christensen of Westminster, California, had served as principal at Huntington Beach elementary school for 22 years, according the Los Angeles Daily News.
Christensen, 51, committed suicide by leaping from an upper level of the Mickey & Friends parking garage on Saturday.
A talented musician and one-time winner of the “Administrator of the Year” award, Christensen, was arrested in November and scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Prior to his suicide, Christensen posted a lengthy suicide note to Facebook:
“I hate when people leave this Earth with so many unanswered questions. So, I hope this provides some insight and perspective,” Christensen wrote.
Christensen’s note referred to his love for his wife and implied that recent legal problems had unsettled the marriage. “Marlena and I love and adore each other, and our relationship has been amazing … up until recently,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately,” he admitted, “she and I got into a heated argument at home in front of the girls,” noting that “tempers were flared and strong words were exchanged.”
“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),” he stressed, noting that he loved the girls “like my own.”
“Unfortunately,” Christensen continued, 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 claimed that his wife of 3 ½ years, whom few knew about, “truly regrets making that call because the events of that night have completely unraveled both of our lives.”
The distraught principal continued: “I am on the brink of losing my job, as I am out on administrative leave until my case is ‘resolved.'”
Christensen claimed his wife “knows I would never hurt her or the girls” — and “has been trying to clear my name with little success.”
Angry and feeling like he was at the end of his rope, Christensen wrote: “However, the legal system is extremely flawed (especially against men/fathers) and it’s sickening how quickly and easily an innocent man can be thrown in jail based on zero evidence or proof!”
“So, here I am … writing my final FB post to all of you.”
Christensen added: “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.”
He signs off by noting that during the “past 21+ years,” he “truly loved educating and leading thousands of students and families as a principal.”
“Please remember me,” he pleaded, “for all the good I brought to the world of education. This is not an ideal way to go out, but at least I get a chance to say some final words to those who I love and adore,” he wrote.
Christensen ended his note: “Take care everyone. Please, please, please be kind to one another! Treat each other with kindness and grace. There is too much anger in the world, and people need to start treating each other better. What I’ve shared with you above is a prime example of how ‘anger’ can really have long-lasting and extremely damaging effects on a person’s life.”
Christensen leaves behind a wife, three stepchildren and three adult children from a previous relationship, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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