Disneyland death: Elementary school principal accused of child endangerment ... trends now
The man who died at Disneyland Saturday after jumping to his death from the Mickey and Friends parking structure has been identified as an elementary school principal who was facing child endangerment charges.
Chris Christensen, 51, took his own life Saturday night outside of the Anaheim theme park after sharing a detailed post saying that one night of fighting with his wife in which the police were called had ruined his whole life.
The man, who worked at the William T Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach, died in front of some parkgoers- including children.
Christensen had recently been charged with misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and battery and was expected to appear in court Monday.
Chris Christensen. 51, died Saturday after jumping from a parking structure outside of Disneyland in Anaheim, California
This is the Mickey and Friends parking structure where Christensen died Saturday around 9pm
Christensen shared this picture, alongside his wife Marlena, in his final Facebook post
'I hate when people leave this Earth with so many unanswered questions. So, I hope this provides some insight and perspective,' Christensen wrote.
The man clarified that the had never hurt his wife, Marlena, or their daughters during the argument, but that the 'extremely flawed' legal system was going to end up putting away an 'innocent man.'
'Unfortunately, two weeks ago she and I got into a heated argument at home in front of the girls. Tempers were flared and strong words were exchanged between us,' the man told his friends.
'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.'
He went on to say that it would be his last Facebook post and that his wife regrets making the call and that is has 'unraveled' both of their lives.
'I am on the brink of losing my job, as I am out on administrative leave until my case is “resolved,"' he said.
Christensen said it was his wife choice to call the police during a heated argument that led to him being placed on administrative leave over charges of battery and child endangerment
The man's full Facebook post can be seen here, including his mentions of the 'heated argument' with his wife and the fact that he was placed on administrative leave
In his final message, Christensen said he planned to spend his last day reaching out to loved ones to tell them how much they mean to him
'So, here I am…writing my final FB post to all of you. I need you all to know that a gentle, kind, loving and sincerely good man has been destroyed by one unfortunate night,' Christen wrote.
'It really is unfortunate! This is NOT me! This is NOT something that I ever thought would happen to me,' he continued.
Christensen thanked his coworkers, friends, and families for his time with the district and said he loved what he did for 20-plus years.
'I have truly loved educating and leading thousands of students and families as a principal in FVSD for the past 21+ years,' he said.
'I have made so many wonderful connections with families over the years and those who know me closely know how much I cared for my students, staff and families.'
'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),' Christensen wrote in his post
Christensen, according to his post, also spent the day 'reaching out to those closest' to him before the fateful incident. He said he told them how much he loved them and would miss them.
'This is not an ideal way
