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David Jones: Boston University prof dies after fall through rusted staircase

Professor reportedly falls through a gap at the JFK MBTA Station in Dorchester, stairs closed for over 20 months sparking an investigation
UPDATED SEP 14, 2021
Professor David Jones of Boston University's School of Public Health (Boston University)
Professor David Jones of Boston University's School of Public Health (Boston University)

David Jones, a professor at Boston University was found dead on the ground near the JFK/UMass MBTA station on September 11, police have confirmed. According to reports, Jones fell from a gap on a rusted flight of stairs at the station that was closed for over 20 months. It's unclear how he was able to access the stairs, given that it was cordoned off. His death has left behind a large void, with condolence messages pouring in from faculty and students of the university.

The mysterious death is one of the several that has made headlines in recent weeks. In early September, we reported on the cause of Jonathan Gerrish and his family's death, after their bodies were found at a California hiking trail in August. On August 5, Charles Zolot was found beaten to death at his NYC office, possibly by a client of his. In July, the sudden death of porn star Dakota Sky rocked the entertainment industry, after she was found in a car in LA.

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In the case of Jones, police are still trying to figure out how he managed to access the cordoned off staircase in the first place. The MTBA has reportedly warned users repeatedly against using the stairs at the station, with a wire and chain link fence used to ensure no one gets in. 

BU's David Jones poses with gifts from former students on September 9, 2020. (David Jones/Twitter)

Who was David Jones?

The 40-year-old father of three was an associate professor in the BU School of Public Health. Originally from New York City, Jones began as a pretzel vendor at the Yankee Stadium. From there, he managed to snag internships at the Idaho Legislature, the Canadian House of Commons, and Congressman Charlie Rangel’s district office in NYC. He then went on to obtain a B.A. from McGill University, an MSPH from the University of North Carolina, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

A public health policy expert, Jones joined BU in 2014 and was tapped as the founding editor in chief of Public Health Post just a year later. He has published numerous works on healthcare policy, and even a book titled 'Exchange Politics: Opposing Obamacare in Battleground States'. At the time of his death, he was working on another book about the social determinants of health in the Mississippi Delta, the university said in a press release.

Described as a "wonderful human being", Jones was also the recipient of numerous awards both from BU and outside. Jones' wife Sarah recently overcame her battle with cancer, following surgery. He leaves behind three daughters and numerous devastated students and colleagues. "I have no words to describe the devastation of this news," the Dean of BU's School of Public Health (SPH) Sandro Galea wrote in an email. 

BU's David Jones poses in front of the Massachusetts State House on January 8, 2020. (David Jones/Twitter)

How did Jones die?

Sarah said Jones had gone out for a run on September 11, in a Facebook post. It is unclear what happened next, but at around 1:30 PM, his body was found under a gap in the stairs at the Red Line station in Dorchester. Sarah says Jones "accidentally" accessed the staircase, which has prompted officials to take a closer look. "The stairs had been deemed unsafe and closed for approximately 20 months," the police said in a statement. 

Before Jones' death, the stair was cordoned off with at both the top and bottom. It was determined he fell from the stairs after detectives "observed a gap in the stairs above the victim." Following his death, security has been tightened with extra fencing and a concrete block, as well as multiple signs. "We continue to look at how Dr. Jones accessed a stairway that had been closed for some 20 months. Whether accidental or intentional, any death is a tragedy and the harm to loved ones is the same," said Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins. The family has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise finances. At the time of reporting, it has raised $89,000 of its $100,000 goal. On September 13, the SPH hosted a memorial gathering via Zoom. A second gathering is scheduled for September 14, during his class time for Jones' students, Galea confirmed. 

A Google Earth image of the MBTA’s JFK/UMass Red Line station staircase where Jones fell from. (Google Earth)

According to The Boston Globe, the set of stairs at the station has had numerous missing steps for months, dating back to at least November 2020. From January 2020 until March 2021, MTBA officials posted 37 alerts via Twitter that the stairs were inaccessible and directed them to use other ways to access the station while "necessary repairs are being made." Local residents confirm the staircase has been in disrepair for years, despite an MTBA sign saying it would be closed only until fall 2020. It's unclear why it hasn't been repaired to date. The MTBA said the staircase is maintained by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, who could not be reached for comment. 

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