Student Jumps to His Death in Paris

A UC Berkeley junior studying abroad jumped to his death from the Arc de Triomphe late Monday night in Paris, police said.

James Lee, 20, who was studying at the UC Center in Paris for the spring semester, jumped from the prominent monument in the heart of the city in what police are calling a suicide.

Two Americans, including Lee's girlfriend, saw Lee jump from the 150-foot landmark from a distance, police told Lee's father, Frank Lee. The two had been alerted by a message Lee left on his door telling them of his intentions, police told his father.

His death was instantaneous upon impact, police said.

"We are very saddened by this news," said Bruce Hanna, UC Education Abroad Program's communications director. "We're hoping to do anything we can here and in Paris to support his family."

Lee left a suicide note in his backpack that was later recovered by Paris police. Police have not revealed the content of the note, but officials determined that no drugs or foul play were involved in the incident, Lee's father said.

Lee, a history major and a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, did not show signs of unhappiness or depression when he was in Berkeley, friends said.

"This was an absolute and complete shock. None of us had any inkling that something was wrong," said Curtis Tongue, president of Kappa Sigma and a close friend of Lee's. "He completely hid it from us. It must have evolved while he was in Paris because none of us had any idea."

Tongue, who grew up with Lee in Walnut Creek, said Lee was cheerful and friendly.

"It was impossible to be down around him," Tongue said. "Whenever James showed up, you left with a smile on your face. He just had that unique ability to make you feel better."

Lee's father said he was an avid soccer player who worked as a referee and student coordinator in the university's intramural sports program. With his state referee license, he traveled across the country for championship games.

"James is the absolute last person that would've been involved in an incident like this," his father said. "He had everything going for him, he had so many friends, so much potential. He could have done anything he wanted."

Peter Sahlins, director of the UC Center in Paris said he made counseling arrangements for the 33 UC students remaining in Paris for the next week, 16 of whom are from UC Berkeley.

Lee's parents sent the students a letter telling them not to feel blame or guilt about what happened, Sahlins said.

In the 43-year history of UC's study abroad program, only 10 out of more than 50,000 students have died, Hanna said.

UC Berkeley spokesperson Marie Felde said Dean of Students Karen Kenney and other campus officials are assisting Lee's family as best they can.

"The university has been extraordinary in their help and support," Lee's father said.

Lee's parents, Frank and Nancy Lee, and his siblings, Bobby, 19, and Bonnie, 16, will be holding a memorial celebration Friday, June 3, at 3 p.m. at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church.

"He was the type of guy that whoever knew him, loved him," said Andrew Kramer, a member of Kappa Sigma and friend of Lee. "He will be missed and remembered."

Josh Keller of The Daily Californian and Tami Abdollah from Paris contributed to this report.

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