Christopher Christensen: Principal who jumped to death at Disneyland was facing child endangerment charges
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: A man who died on Saturday, December 3 night after jumping to his death from a parking garage at Disneyland was the principal at Courreges Elementary School in Huntington Beach and also a musician who taught and performed all over Southern California, according to The Sun. Christopher Christensen, 51, of Westminster, who was arrested last month, additionally faced battery and misdemeanor child endangerment charges. He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 5.
Christensen was discovered dead on Saturday, December 3 night about 9 pm after it was reported that a man had fallen from the parking structure at Mickey & Friends, Disneyland. People were still arriving and departing from the theme park when Christensen died, according to Anaheim police and the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Police reported that his death was probably a suicide, as per the news outlet.
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On Saturday, December 3, Christensen posted a lengthy message on his Facebook page. “I hate when people leave this Earth with so many unanswered questions. So, I hope this provides some insight and perspective…” he wrote. In the memo, it was mentioned that the police had been called to a family dispute. “I am on the brink of losing my job,” he wrote. “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.”
Christensen previously served as the principal of Courreges Elementary School, also in the Fountain Valley District, in Huntington Beach, where he had worked as an administrator for 22 years. “I have truly loved educating and leading thousands of students and families as a principal in FVSD for the past 21+ years,” he wrote on Facebook. “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. Please remember me for all the good I brought to the world of education.”
Christensen was reportedly a 30-year friend of Dianna Gray's, a violinist who teaches in the Irvine Unified School District. He was the owner of Seaside Strings, a company in Huntington Beach that offers string ensembles for weddings and other occasions. Christensen hired Gray to perform on several occasions. “He was one of my favorite people to play with because I loved his musicality. I liked how he led jobs. He was always fun, humorous, he seemed to always find the joy in the work. He was a high-level professional and he was a people person,” Gray said in an interview on Sunday, December 4, as reported by The Sun.
Christensen was accused of child endangerment and battery on November 22, according to records from the Orange County Superior Court. Christensen entered a not-guilty plea to each accusation. According to court documents, the accused offenses were allegedly committed on November 15. Christensen was arrested following that and released on November 17 after posting a $10,000 bond.
According to his profile, Christensen received his master's degree from UC Irvine and served as the principal of Fulton Middle School from 2006 to 2011 as well as Moiola K-8 School from 2003 to 2006 and Masuda Middle School from 2001 to 2003. According to his biography, he fathered two stepchildren and three of his own children.
