Philadelphia professor jumps to death during class

A professor at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia jumped to his death during a math class on Wednesday.

According to The Philadelphia Daily News, Rudolf Alexandrov, 71, an adjunct professor, became "agitated" and walked out of a classroom inside the college's St. Joseph's Hall. He then walked back in for a moment, yelled something, and ran back out to a second-floor railing inside the hall. The Daily News continues:

When concerned colleagues summoned campus security, Alexandrov, who had been standing on a ledge next to the railing, dived headfirst over the railing, said Lt. Robert Zaffino, of Northwest Detectives. The fall to the marble floor is about 20 to 30 feet, he said.

Sources told the paper that Alexandrov's jump was witnessed by students and by his wife, Olga Alexandrov, 56, who also teaches at the college. One person told The Philadelphia Inquirer that they heard "bloodcurdling screams."

"He had a history of depression," Zaffino said. "He had been having suicidal thoughts and mentioned harming himself in the past."

Police apparently visited Alexandrov's home last Friday, after his wife filed a missing persons report. He was found walking in the neighborhood.

The college released a statement on its website after the incident.

"President Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D., and the entire Chestnut Hill College community wish to express our deepest sympathy to the family of adjunct professor Rudolf Alexandrov who died in a fall at the College on August 3," the statement said. "We offer our prayers and condolences to all Alexandrov family members and friends at this time of great sorrow"