Chris Christensen, who was a principal at elementary principal at Newland Elementary School in the Fountain Valle District, died by suicide after jumping off the Micke and Friends Parking Structure at 9:40 p.m. on December 3, 2022. The 50-year-old man posted a lengthy post on Facebook before jumping off the structure, detailing that an argument was the main turning point.

Chris Christensen wife, Marlena Lynn

Christ Christensen was married to a woman named Marlena Lynn in mid-2019. In the suicide note posted on his Facebook, Christensen confirmed that the two got married privately three and a half years ago. Marlena has two daughters from a previous relationship, and the elementary principal, in his note, stated that he loved them dearly and would never do anything to harm them.

Christensen said that he and his wife had a heated argument two weeks before his death in front of their children. He states that tempers flared, and a heated exchange ensued, resulting in his wife calling the police. He says that he spent the night at the police after the incident. The events leading to the heated argument the couple had is what seemed to have broken the FVSD school principal. He was placed on administrative leave until his case was resolved. He wrote in his post that the judicial system is flawed, especially against men/fathers. He lamented how he was, without any evidence, thrown into jail.

A look at Christ Christensen’s Career & Education

Christ Christensen previously worked as a Principal at Courreges Elementary School in 2011. He worked at Fulton Middle School, also a Fountain Valley School District, from Aug 2006 to Jun 2011. His career as a principal, as per his Linkedin, started at Moiola school from Feb 2003 to Jun 2006. Before working in the FVSD, he was a middle school instrumental music teacher in the Long Beach Unified School District.

For his education, he did a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Business Economics from 1989 to 1993. He later did a Master of Science (MS) in Education from 1995 to 1999.

Christ Christensen Children

Christensen had three children of his own; Brittany, Miranda, and Conner, all of whom are adults. The two teenage daughters, Katelynn and Kara, of his wife Marlena, are from a previous relationship.

Christ Christensen Suicide and Video

Christ Christensen died after jumping from the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure at Disneyland around 9;40 p.m. on December 3. Trams were shut down after the tragedy, and security was heavily surrounding the scene. Those trying to get to their vehicle in the Mickey and Friends parking garage were rerouted to get to the structure through the Downtown Disney entrance and the Pixar Pals bridge.

Some videos captured the incident doing rounds on social media. Out of respect to the family and friends of Christensen, we will not share the video in this publication.

Here is a Suicide Note Posted by Christ Christensen on Facebook;

I hate when people leave this Earth with so many unanswered questions. So, I hope this provides some insight and perspective…

This is my wife, Marlena. Yes, you heard me correctly. Most of you don’t know this but we privately married 3 ½ years ago. Marlena and I love and adore each other and our relationship has been amazing…up until recently. Unfortunately, two weeks ago she and I got into a heated argument at home in front of the girls. Tempers were flared and strong words were exchanged between us. However, never in this exchange did I hit, slap, or hurt Marlena in any manner. Nor did I ever touch the girls (I never have and never will). I love the girls like my own and they know that, as does everyone else who truly knows me.

Unfortunately, Marlena’s anger got the best of her that night and she called the police, which landed me in jail that night. Yes, me! A man who has never hit or harmed ANYONE in his life! I think it’s safe to say that Marlena truly regrets making that call, because the events of that night have completely unraveled both of our lives. I am on the brink of losing my job, as I am out on administrative leave until my case is “resolved.” However, the legal system is extremely flawed (especially against men/fathers) and it’s sickening how quickly and easily an innocent man can be thrown in jail based on zero evidence or proof! In fact, take a look at the attached screenshots of Marlena’s message to my friend about the matter. She too, had no intention on having that night come this far. She knows I would never hurt her or the girls and she, too, has been trying to clear my name with little success. Again, the legal system is deeply flawed, to say the least!

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. It really is unfortunate! This is NOT me! This is NOT something that I ever thought would happen to me.

With all of this said, I have truly loved educating and leading thousands of students and families as a principal in FVSD for the past 21+ years. 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.

To all of my musician friends…thank you! Thank you for performing with me over the past 30 years! We have had a blast performing all over and creating such fond memories together. Music has been a wonderful outlet for me, as it has allowed me to have a “different & creative” world outside of my “day job” as a principal. I am sad to say that last night was my final performance! However, it went very well and I am proud that my final performance was a success. I have always loved performing, especially during the holiday season. I am going to miss it dearly!

There is so much more I want to say, but I am going to spend the rest of today reaching out to those closest to me to let them know how much I love them. This is not an ideal way to go out, but at least I get a chance to say some final words to those who I love and adore.

Take care everyone. Please, please, please be kind to one another! Treat each other with kindness and grace. There is too much anger in the world and people need to start treating each other better. What I’ve shared with you above is a prime example of how “anger” can really have long-lasting and extremely damaging effects on a person’s life.