12.03.2022 | 9:00 PM | ANAHEIM – A school principal jumped to his death at Disneyland startling parkgoers and blocking access to a parking structure, Saturday night.
The man identified as 51-year-old Christopher Ian Christensen, a principal at William T. Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach, reportedly jumped to his death from the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure located in the 1300 block of Disneyland Drive around 9:00 PM.
Authorities found Christensen’s body lifeless and pronounced him deceased.
A lengthy post made on a Facebook page seemingly associated with Christensen outlined his recent arrest on misdemeanor charges of battery and child abuse and endangerment on November 15, 2022 following an argument with his wife in front of their children.
The Facebook post went on to claim the charges were the result of Christensen’s wife failing to control her anger and blamed the criminal justice system for being biased against “men/fathers”.
Christensen was said to be on administrative leave pending the outcome of the charges which he plead not guilty to. Court records reflect Christensen was released on a $10,000 bond.
The apparent suicide left parkgoers startled and stranded as the Disneyland tram was shut down and access to vehicles in the parking structure restricted.
Fountain Valley Superintendent Katherine Stopp described Christensen as “a respected leader in [Fountain Valley School District] for over 20 years” and “a father, husband, brother, and friend to so many”.
There was no word on whether any services for parkgoers or students who knew Christensen might be available.
