Bridge jumper identified as C of C student
A young woman who died after jumping off the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge on Sunday has been identified as a 20-year-old College of Charleston student.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office identified Alexandra Kindya after receiving calls from several people who recognized her description from an article about the death in The Post and Courier. Authorities confirmed the identity late Tuesday, Coroner Rae Wooten said.
Kindya, from Little Silver, N.J., was a sophomore at the college and listed as a member of the school's field hockey team. The school planned to make counseling services available to students, though many had already left campus, since Wednesday was the final day of exams.
The Rev. Rob Dewey, senior chaplain with the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, said he and other volunteers helped console Kindya's roommates at an off-campus home in Charleston. Her friends were distraught and frustrated that they were unable to prevent what happened, he said.
Several people who knew Kindya contacted the newspaper or left comments on its Web site, Charleston.net. They described her as intelligent and vivacious, a young woman who always seemedupbeat.
A former employer at a local hospitality company described Kindya as "spritely" and a "joy to work with."
"I was absolutely shocked when I heard about this," wrote Beth Murray, who used to baby-sit Kindya in New Jersey. "Alex was funny, smart and beautiful."
Kindya, known as Alex, reportedly went for a jog Sunday afternoon and didn't return home.
Witnesses saw Kindya climb over the bridge railing and plunge more than 100 feet into the Cooper River, where she drowned. She was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers and carried no identification.
Charlotte Anderson, director of Trident United Way's 2-1-1 Hotline, said there is always a danger that such a public suicide might encourage others who are considering taking their own lives. Authorities want to stress that there are alternatives and people willing to help, she said.
Those contemplating suicide or concerned for someone else's well-being are encouraged to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK for information or support, Anderson said.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
DanniD (anonymous) says...
This is very, very sad. I hope that her family and friends can make it through this very tough time. Especially since it is right around the holidays.
The stress of finals during this time of year, and being away from family can be overwhelming for some.
December 13, 2007 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
This is really sad. I just don't understand how someone could take their own life.
December 13, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jerseylegal (anonymous) says...
Has it really been established that this girl jumped? She may have really fallen, perhaps goofing around and slipped or was spooked by something. God bless her and her family and friends.
December 13, 2007 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nty05 (anonymous) says...
jerseylegal- read the comments in yesterday's article. It stated that she left a note and she had been very depressed.
My thoughts are with her friends and family. I just hope that she is no longer in pain.
December 13, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandunesally (anonymous) says...
My daughter and I were on the bridge that day, actually for the first time walking the bridge, but now what a terrible memory we have. We both saw the pretty young lady, as others have stated, she looked as though she was stretching. My daughter was devastated, as I was, too. We both noticed her and saw her pretty face and smile, as we started to keep walking. A few minutes later, someone stated that someone had just jumped. When we got back up there, and saw her, we realized who it was. I only wish, as my daughter did, that we would have noticed, but she smiled at us, appearing to be happy. I feel so, so sad for her family and friends, and can still picture the smile on her face. I don't think I will ever forget her smile. Friends have told me that she must have been thinking about doing this and was content with her decision, but I just can't imagine why a beautiful young lady would be so sad.
December 13, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jfro53 (anonymous) says...
This story is so very sad. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I have worked with so many college students through the years and I still do. I was praying that she was someone that I had not worked with or that she was not in any of my husbands classes. This time of the year is hard on everyone, especially the kids in college. They are busy studying for finals and trying to earn enough money for air fare home and gifts. If you are a college student and you are struggling, please know that there are resources at the college and through Family Services that can be of great help to you. Please, reach out for help, even if it is talking with someone who is older than you, that you might work with. Nothing is so bad that it cannot be resolved. It is not worth taking your precious life over.
December 13, 2007 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ticket3477 (anonymous) says...
It seems lately that alot of bad things have been happening to good people. I hope that her family, friends, extended friends etc are able to work through this together.
As an extended friend of Cassidy, one of the girls that died in the NC fire, time and being with your friends and family helps.
My heart goes out to all of you.
December 13, 2007 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proudmomma (anonymous) says...
My thoughts and prayers are with Alex's family and friends, as well as those who witnessed this event. Tragic.
December 13, 2007 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LadyTarHeel (anonymous) says...
My prayers go out to the family and friends of this young lady. I am sure that she touched so many lives and she would be honored to know that she had friends that recognized when she went missing. Those type of friends just don't come around that often and they should be recognized for that. I pray that you all find some comfort in knowing that she is at peace now. Keep your heads up, be strong, and be blessed.
December 13, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ilovekindya (anonymous) says...
I am her roommate and we honestly don't know where this came from. She showed up to a party Saturday night with us, went home early and watched tv. I saw her watching tv when I got home and I went to bed because I was sick. I regret not sitting up and watching sex and the city with her so bad. We had exams to study for on sunday and monday and everyone just kind of lives secluded during exams. We noticed she was gone but thought she was at our friend, kelsey's house, but we still left the door open for her Monday night. Turns out, kelsey was in Ohio the whole two days. We couldnt believe the note until I realized it REALLY was Kindya's bubbly handwriting. Most of us are still in shock and didnt finish our exams. She had so many friends here and was one of the only people I felt completly comfortable to be around. I miss her so much and I hope she knows how much we truly did love everything about her.
December 13, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
ilovekindya....i'm sorry about the loss of your friend. Were you guys offered any counsenling?
December 13, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jca (anonymous) says...
one problem they stated there was no note found. i am sorry for the loss
December 13, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettogirl (anonymous) says...
This is very sad... I agree PalmettoMan, something drove her to do this. Sometimes people can appear to be bubbly and outgoing however, something could be hurting them deep inside. When I was an undergraduate, this time was always hard for me. You have exams, normal holiday stress and then you have to go home and pretend to like college and tell your parents how good your doing in school. Sometimes I felt like I couldn't live up to my family's expectation. Whatever may be the case, my prayers are with her family.
December 13, 2007 at 7:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
Her friends said they found a note.
December 13, 2007 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iloveyoukindya (anonymous) says...
It stills feel surreal reading all of this about my own friend. I feel stupid saying this but she really did light up a room when she came in. The world lost such a great person and a great friend. She was beautiful and awesome and I wish I had told her that more.
December 14, 2007 at 12:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
common_sense_is_where (anonymous) says...
Such a beautiful girl who definitely had many wonderful friends and a lovely mother. I knew Alex, and am so glad I did. What a vivacious gal, and how she will be missed. I pray for her family that they may feel solice in the fact that Alex was loved very much by many. Alex's life did include many moments of joy, and let us pray that this will carry on with those who knew her.
December 14, 2007 at 12:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GKW (anonymous) says...
This is so sad that this valuable life was lost she was so young to be so troubled. My prayers go out to her family.
My family lost to suicide and we are still dealing with the lost. We wish her family all the support and prayers thru this very hard time
December 14, 2007 at 12:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
common_sense_is_where (anonymous) says...
IloveyouKindya, I'm so sorry she is gone. Alex was awesome and I know there are not words to express how sad this is for you and her family. Although I wasn't as close to her as you, please know that an incredible amount of people care about you, and are praying for you, and that so many have wonderful memories of Alex. This is truly inexplicable right now, but please have faith that you and all affected will have clarity and peace about it all eventually. Any and all feelings that you have right now, including anger, sadness, guilt, and everything else are perfectly natural. Please know that you are not alone, and there are many ways to express yourself. Please keep an eye on yourself and your friends, and know that pride should not keep you, or any one else from seeking any sort of counseling. There is a solid reason that there are people who choose to counsel in this sort of situation--they can truly help. Coming from someone who has felt this type of pain before, I know this sounds trite right now, but it's all I know to say in this moment of your pain. I can appreciate and value your efforts to express your feelings about what has happened. You are brave and obviously care very much about your friendship with Alex. You are everything a friend could expect, and then some.
December 14, 2007 at 12:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Titania87 (anonymous) says...
As mother of one of the roommates, I would very much like to know why the College of Charleston has been so remiss in all aspects of this crisis. They did not contact the girls to offer solace or faciliate the situation with their teachers and grades. None of the girls had left school following exams. IN fact, several are still in Charleston. The school has done nothing but but been silent. They have not sent out an email to students announcing the tragedy or offering counseling services. As a professor at two local collegs, I'm deeply disappointed. When my daughter's grandfather died just two months ago, I wrote all of her teacher as well as the head of the department because she was deely affected, and I wanted to make the school aware. I'm not asking for a babysitter for these kids, but the school has some obligation to their students. The only one out of all the emails I wrote who responded in any way shape or form was her French professor, a lovely and kind woman. The rest...silence. Shame on College of Charleston adminstrators and those professors too busy to involve themselves. Students may not seem like it at times. Educators may find them lazy, whining, or frivolous, and at times, all young people are. So be it. Most of us were. Adminstrators may look on students as simply numbers that generate revenue for more impressive buildings and nicer offices, but these students are human beings, young and vulnerable human beings, and the school has an ethical and moral obligation to keep this in mind. I for one am angered, and disappointed in the college's handling of this tragedy.
December 14, 2007 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ilovekindya (anonymous) says...
She is completely right, I am very disappointed as well in how the school has handled it. I have to finish up my exams next semester and to be honest, I will not feel like doing anything. Especially wont feel like studying while Im trying to get back to normal in the house where she lived with me.
December 14, 2007 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rheana3 (anonymous) says...
I heard about this last night, and was devastated instantly.
I think it's wild what you said about the school not helping. I'm a senior at C of C, and my sister, who was a sophomore at the college, killed herself a few months ago, tearing my life apart. BUT, the college did send e-mails and try to help, but I think it may have only been after asking my and my mother's permission. I'd like to talk with her roommates. I think I used to wait on Alex at Five Loaves, and my heart goes out to her family and friends.
December 14, 2007 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gamecockcougar (anonymous) says...
I am a CofC graduate and my brother took his life in July. He ran and went to work every day. He filled up his car with gas right before he died. I've learned that depression and suicide have no boundries.
For the surviviors of suicide please know that your grieving process is different. What has helped me is getting counseling, talking with family and friends. My heart goes out to all of the survivors.
December 15, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
asadmom (anonymous) says...
My son struggles with depression and is a student at CofC...College life is difficult. Our children are struggling to live on their own, maintain good grades and have all the freedom to do what they want without parental supervision. They think that they are infallible. I think that all schools should be empathetic to our children....Professors should be mentors, as well as advisors. I just pray that Alex wasn't pushed to this sad ending because of academic pressure. God Bless Alex and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family.
December 16, 2007 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
erock682 (anonymous) says...
I am from Alex Kindya's hometown and I know her family well. I attended her wake on Sunday December 16, and I was as devastated then as when I first heard the news. As for Alex's roomate named (Ilovekindya) my heart and prayers are with you and all your friends who spent the most time with her. I pray that you all have the strength in being able to push through this tough time and be there for each other and Alex's family. If you want to reach me for any support facebook me - Eric Ruggiero
Your memories will always stay clear in our minds, all the smiles and wonderful times. Our hearts will always mourn, Alex you will be missed and loved everlong.
December 18, 2007 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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