Columbia student Martha Corey-Ochoa plunges ten storeys to her death from dormitory window

An 18-year-old freshman plunged to her death last night from the 14th-floor window of a Columbia University dormitory.

Martha Corey-Ochoa, a former high school valedictorian from Dobbs Ferry, New York, fell from the university residence John Jay Hall in an apparent suicide, police said.

She died at nearby St Luke’s Hospital after falling from the dorm window at 11pm on the day most freshmen at the New York residence moved in.

'Everyone was out here seconds after it happened,' said witness Efraim Ramos, 54. 'Everyone was in the street, it was packed.'

Two freshmen were the first to find the woman lying in the road and were said to be in shock after the discovery, the New York Post reported.

She lived on the 14th floor of the building, police told DNAinfo.com.

She left no note and there were no witnesses, according to the Joual News. An autopsy has not been scheduled, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner said.

Miss Corey-Ochoa planned to double major in English and mathematics, she had told the Rivertowns Daily Voice in June.

Cheryl Beer, 54, a neighbour of the family’s for 14 years who used to direct musicals at the high school, said the 'talented' and 'dedicated' girl played violin in the pit band.

Her parents are writers and her mother, Melinda, has taught at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, neighbours said.

Jennifer Dawber, 52, said she recently congratulated Miss Corey-Ochoa's parents after they dropped her off at Columbia.

She described the 18-year-old as kind, polite and extremely intelligent and said it seemed as though Miss Corey-Ochoa was always in the newspaper for receiving academic awards.

'Talented': The former high school valedictorian from Dobbs Ferry, New York, fell from university residence John Jay Hall (pictured) the day most freshmen moved in, police said

Shocking death: The woman fell from a dorm window at Columbia University (bottom), at 11pm on the day most freshmen moved in to the hall of residence

'I'm in shock,' Ms Dawber said after leaing of the death from a reporter.

'I feel like she had such a great future. I hope her family can get some peace. I still can't believe it'.

Roberta Reynolds, 58, a neighbour of the family's for 13 years, said their daughter, an only child, was quiet, respectful and devoted to her parents.

'Martha was their life.'

The teenager baked cookies for Ms Reynolds at Christmas and gave her a card. When she was young, Ms Reynolds gave her little toys including stuffed animals and bracelets and said she often saw Martha helping her mother in the garden.

'She was a very intelligent girl, a wonderful musician, and she was very devoted to her parents. She was a very caring daughter. She was looking forward to excelling at school.'

A university security officer said a paramedic and a nurse had been seen by a student running out of the hospital.

'We were walking down and we just saw her there,' the student told the officer.

Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger informed students of the death in an email sent around 2:15am, calling the death a tragedy.

'It's a time that our community needs to pull together and support one another,' Mr Shollenberger said.

Tragedy: Miss Corey-Ochoa was taken to nearby St Luke's hospital and pronounced dead there

'Our retuing students should keep in mind our first-year students have just gotten here, and they are developing contacts and relationships and should be sensitive and reach out to one another.'

He said religious advisers and counsellors would be on hand today to talk to students and staff.

At 5.20am he sent another email revealing her name and writing: 'Martha was passionate about mathematics and literature, and recognized as a very talented writer.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the family of this student. As we continue to cope with the loss of one of our valued community members, we remain committed to ensuring the health and well being of our Columbia family.'