California School Principal Allegedly Jumped to Death off Disneyland Parking Structure

Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A Southern California principal was found dead near a Disneyland parking structure on Dec. 3, according to Anaheim police, who said his death was likely a suicide.

Police said Christopher Christensen, 51, was found around 9 p.m. after a report that a man had fallen from the parking structure.

Christensen had been charged Nov. 22 with misdemeanor child endangerment and battery and was due in court Dec. 5, according to media reports.

A police vehicle monitors one of Disneyland's parking areas in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 13, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A now widely circulated Facebook post by Christensen was uploaded just minutes prior to his death.

In the post, he explained his charges, their consequences, and said farewell to his friends and family.

“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,” he wrote.

According to the post, Christensen had a conflict with his wife Marlena, in front of her two daughters. Christensen said she called police, and he wound up in jail later that night.

“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),” the post stated.

Christensen also wrote in the post that he had been placed on administrative leave with his job due to the charges. He additionally wrote how he had enjoyed working in education the past 21 years.

Newland Elementary School staff parking in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

“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 was the principal of Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach and previously served in the same role at Courreges Elementary School, Fulton Middle School, Fred Moiola K-8 School, and as an assistant principal for Masuda Middle School, according to his biography on the Newland Elementary school website.

All schools are in the Fountain Valley School District.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in business and economics from University of California–Santa Barbara and earned his Master’s and administrative credentials from National University and University of California–Irvine, according to the biography.

He is survived by his three young adult-aged children Brittany, Miranda, and Conner, and by his wife Marlena and her two elementary school aged children.