Abington Resident, Chestnut Hill Instructor, Commits Suicide at the School

An Abington resident who was a mathematics instructor at Chestnut Hill College jumped to his death at the school Wednesday evening.

According to Philadelphia police, they received a call at 5:25 p.m. from the college and found adjunct professor Rudolf Alexandrov, 71, on the floor inside St. Joseph Hall at Chestnut Hill College. He had a critical injury to the head and was pronounced dead at 6:03 p.m.

Alexandrov dove over a second-floor railing and fell about 30 feet, according to police. The incident was ruled a suicide, and was witnessed by several colleagues.

Chestnut Hill College released a statement following Alexandrov’s death.

“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 Aug. 3,” the statement said. “We offer our prayers and condolences to all Alexandrov family members and friends at this time of great sorrow.”

The college will provide counseling to any members of the college community. For information on counseling services, the school asked students and faculty to call 215-248-7095.

Alexandrov was a resident of the Elkins Park section of Abington Township. He lived with his wife, Olga, who is also an adjunct professor at the college. Funeral arrangements for Alexandrov are not yet available.

Editor's note: The original version of this story had mentioned that Alexandrov was teaching a class at the time of the incident. A Chestnut Hill College spokeperson stated that he was not in a class.