A brainy but troubled young woman embarking on her freshman year at Columbia College apparently jumped to her death from a dorm room window. Martha Corey-Ochoa’s suicide sent shock waves across the Ivy League campus, which had just welcomed first-year students for orientation. Click below to find out more.
A source said Corey-Ochoa — who was valedictorian of Dobbs Ferry High School in Westchester — had a history of psychiatric problems.
She plunged from the 14th floor of John Jay Hall to the pavement on W. 114th St. and Amsterdam Ave. She was declared dead at nearby St. Luke’s Hospital.
Fellow freshman Lucas Zeppello, 19, said there was a dorm gathering at 9 p.m. but he was unsure if Corey-Ochoa was there.
“We had a meeting at 9 that we all had to go to. It was just policy stuff. We all had to introduce ourselves,” he said.
“It’s the first night, so everyone’s been exchanging names.â€
Another freshman said new students were rattled by the tragedy.
“My [dorm resident assistant] stayed up all night to be there for students,†she said.
“Last night was our first night on campus. We’re pretty shaken up.”
Senior Allie Schwartz, 22, said she was surprised that a student had taken their life before the pressure of classes, which don’t start until Sept. 4.
“There are suicides around midterms and finals. When I was a sophomore, one of the students hung themselves in the dorm bathroom,†she said.
Columbia Dean Kevin Shollenberger confirmed Corey-Ochoa’s death in an email to students.
“Martha was passionate about mathematics and literature, and recognized as a very talented writer,†Shollenberger said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of this student,†he said.
