School principal Chris Christensen jumped to death to end 'toxic' marriage to 'abusive' wife, says daughter
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: The daughter of an elementary school principal who killed himself by jumping from a Disneyland parking lot says he had no other option but to kill himself to find a way out of dealing with his allegedly 'abusive' wife.
Christopher Christensen, a California man, died by suicide on Dec. 3 after being charged with child endangerment and assault, according to Orange County Superior Court records, the Daily Mail reports.
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The 51-year-old man shared his last post on Facebook before he killed himself, blaming his wife Marlena Christensen for his suicide. In his post, Christensen claimed the couple had a heated argument a few weeks earlier and after the angry exchange, her "anger got the best out of her and she called the police, which landed me in jail that night."
According to the Daily Mail, Brittany, one of Chris' three children from his first marriage that ended in divorce in 1999, spoke about Marlena being an 'abusive' wife. The 26-year-old accused Marlena of keying her car parked at her apartment in Costa Mesa. Brittany claims that the incident took place after an argument that involved her father trying to 'break up' with his wife. She also told that on April 24, Marlena sent Brittany harsh messages followed by this argument they had.
Marlena's text message to Brittany read, "You're a horrible disgusting excuse for a daughter and sister. Go find your Dad, play the hero. But it's me he will be missing I the morning."
Brittany said to the Daily Mail that "Marlena has shown a consistent pattern of manipulation and inappropriate behavior towards my family for some time now. Although my dad mentions in his post that their relationship was 'great' up until two weeks ago, their relationship in actuality has been toxic and wearing on both of them."
She further added that "The night my car was keyed, my dad tried to break up with Marlena and I was sent messages from her saying I was "a horrible and disgusting excuse for a daughter and sister. To be honest, I never thought I did anything to her but she refused to ever apologize for her words or actions, even when she reacted extremely towards my family."
After the incident of Marlena keying Brittany's car, she filed a report to the police alleging that total damage of $6,000 has been caused. "She didn't admit to anything, but we had footage from her doorbell camera leaving the house in the middle of the night and then coming to my apartment (where my dad was staying for the night) and taking his car," said Brittany while telling the Daily Mail that the matter was unresolved.
"She put him in a really horrible position that night and painted a picture of him that is inaccurate of his character, and I think it got too much for him.", said the grieving daughter who believes that Marlena's domestic violence claims against Chris were "inaccurate." Chris and his second wife Marlena "loved each other" but had a "passionate but toxic relationship", said Chris' oldest daughter.
A restraining order passed by the judge on November 28 had asked Chris to stay 100 yards away from Marlena, not harass her in any way, and turn in any guns he had to police. He pled not guilty to the charges, reports the Daily Mail.
Chris, who just began his first year as principal of Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach was also a musician. After his death, his case was dismissed on December 5 according to the documents shown by the Orange County Superior Court.